Better Living: Winter 2015

better living WINTER 2015

COORDINATED HEALTH MAGAZINE

NEW PROCEDURE

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ALLOWS CARTILAGE REGROWTH

GENERATIONS OF FAMILY MEDICINE

AVOID holiday MISHAPS Coordinated Health coordinatedhealth.com 1-877-247-8080

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EXTENDED FAMILY

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better living CONTENTS

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Flu Shot Truth Vs. Fiction

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New Mammo Guidelines

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Extended Family

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Holiday Mishaps

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Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

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Crock Pot Recipe

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Meal Planning for Early Training

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Reaching New Heights

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Orthopedic Urgent Care

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Stem Cell Strides

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Concussions

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Workplace Ergonomics

HOLIDAY MISHAPS

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

STEM CELL STRIDES

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WORKPLACE ERGONOMICS

VISIT US AT COORDINATEDHEALTH.COM OR CALL 1(877)247-8080 TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY.

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OUR TEAM FLORENCE BROWN OLIVIA BROWN ENDRIT FASLLIAJ JESSICA FLATTO CASSY KLISCH BRIAN MENECOLA DEBBIE MORGAN HANNAH ROPP MARTY WAMBOLD

EDITOR MARKETING INTERN PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN GRAPHIC DESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR EDITOR CONTENT MANAGER PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS TIBOR BODI, JR., MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, CF-L1, ITAT LINDSAY GOFFREDO-HUGHES, DO

ATHLETIC TRAINER & PERFORMANCE TRAINER PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN

JAMES HOFFMAN, MD

DEPARTMENT CHAIR ORTHOPEDIC BIOLOGICS

CARA GUILFOYLE, MD

BREAST SURGEON

JASON RUDOLPH, MD

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON

OFER SHUSTIK, MD JASON SMITH, MD

CHIEF OUTPATIENT MEDICINE, CHAIR PRIMARY CARE PHYSIATRIST

winter 2015

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from LETTER theEDITOR HANNAH ROPP

Like many families, our calendars are always booked during the holiday season with visits to Santa and holiday parties as we try to cram in as much festive fun as we can. But, I’m the first to admit that during the hustle and bustle of the holidays we often overlook the importance of taking care of ourselves. That’s why I made sure that this issue was full of tips on how you can keep your family safe and healthy throughout the holiday season.

This time of year germs run rampant, which makes everyone more susceptible to illnesses like colds and even the flu. Coordinated Health Primary Care Physician Lindsay Goffredo Hughes separates fact from fiction when it comes to the flu and has some advice on how you can avoid it altogether.

Another important way to stay healthy is to make sure you keep up with routine physicals and screenings.

We’ve got the scoop on the latest recommendations regarding mammograms. Also, Ofer Shustik, M.D., Coordinated Health family physician, outlines the importance of having a family doctor and why you should get yearly physicals. We even talk to a family he’s been treating for more than 20 years!

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Bethlehem Township resident Craig Storr also shares how Coordinated Health Orthopedic Surgeon James Hoffman, M.D. changed his life with a groundbreaking new procedure that allowed his cartilage to regenerate.

The surgery allowed him to play golf for the first time in many years.

Finally, during a time of year when family dinners can become tricky we have a great and healthy recipe for a crock-pot meal – one of my favorite time savers when it comes to holiday cooking. We also have some ways you can avoid the dreaded holiday weight gain.

When I put together the magazine, I look for articles that I think people will find engaging and helpful. I know that I found some great tips for my family, and hope you will as well. Best wishes for a happy and healthy wonderful holiday season and a bright 2016!

MARKETING team winter 2015

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flu shot TRUTH vs FICTION THERE ARE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLU. FIND OUT WHAT’S REALLY FACT SO YOU CAN FINALLY PUT THE RUMORS TO REST!

don’t want to get the flu vaccine flu is just a really bad cold or a MYTH: Ibecause it will just give me the flu.

MYTH: The stomach bug.

The traditional flu vaccine will not While the flu, or influenza, may cause TRUTH:give you the flu, according to Dr. TRUTH: symptoms that are similar to a cold Goffredo-Hughes. The most common side effects from the or stomach virus, it is actually a serious respiratory illness

that kills roughly 3,000 people each year according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some symptoms of the flu include a fever, cough, runny nose, muscle and body ache and fatigue. Complications that can arise from the flu include dehydration, pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections.

You can only get the flu when it’s cold MYTH: outside.

It’s true that there is a flu season, TRUTH: which runs from roughly October to May, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be cold outside in order for the flu to spread.

One reason the flu spreads so easily during the winter is because people are in closer contact with each other than during the summer months and spend more time indoors.

Also, schools are in session, which means germs are more easily spread.

flu shot are redness and soreness at the injection site and in some cases people may experience muscle aches and fatigue the next day.

only way to prevent the spread of MYTH: The the flu is through the flu vaccine.

The best way to prevent the flu and TRUTH: the spread of the flu is the flu vaccine, but there are other ways you can keep yourself

and your family healthy as well.

“During flu season you should avoid contact with people who have flu-like symptoms and wash your hands frequently. Studies have shown that high doses of vitamin C may also help keep you healthy as well as a diet rich in fruits and vegetables,” claims Dr. Goffredo-Hughes.

don’t need to get the flu vaccine MYTH: Ibecause I’m healthy.

According to Coordinated Health TRUTH: Primary Care Physician Lindsey

Goffredo Hughes everyone should get the flu vaccine.

“The flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu and also the spread of the flu. We recommend everyone over the age of six months get the vaccine, but it’s especially important for small children, pregnant women, people over the age of 65 and those who may be immune suppressed,” she says.

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LINDSAY GOFFREDO-HUGHES, DO primary care physician

NEW MAMMOGRAM guidelines Mammograms are essential in the fight against breast cancer, and recently the American Cancer Society changed their recommendations regarding mammograms. The American Cancer Society now suggests that women over the age of 45 get yearly mammograms. Previously they had recommended that women over 40 get screenings.

These guidelines only apply to healthy women with an average risk of breast cancer and not those whose risk is high because of personal or family history.

While the ACA stands behind its new recommendations, not everyone agrees with the guidelines, including Coordinated Health Breast Surgeon Cara Guilfoyle, M.D. “Thankfully these new guidelines set by the American Cancer Society are just recommendations,” she says.

Dr. Guilfoyle believes the thought process behind the new guidelines is due to the fact that more frequent screenings leads to a high number of additional imaging callbacks and biopsies. “While some of the additional imaging reveals no significant abnormalities and the biopsies are benign, they are considered false positives and to some, termed unnecessary. This is then interpreted as driving the cost of healthcare up. However, I think a few false positives is the price we pay for finding and diagnosing breast cancer,” claims Dr. Guilfoyle.

Another concern for Dr. Guilfoyle regarding the new guidelines is the fact that a majority of her young breast cancer patients don’t have a family history of the disease, which means they are not considered high risk. She claims that by following the recommendations, many young women would miss the opportunity to catch breast cancer early.

“A lot of cancer would be missed under the new guidelines and many women wouldn’t be diagnosed until they were able to feel something in their breast. In most cases, this results in a later stage diagnosis, which makes it more difficult to treat and for those counting, more expensive. Overall, I would continue to screen women starting at the age of 40 and for those at high risk, potentially sooner,” says Dr. Guilfoyle.

CARA GUILFOYLE, MD breast surgeon winter 2015

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family

Between three kids and two full time jobs, Rosemary and Jeff had busy schedules when their children lived at home. But they always knew they could count on their family physician to be there when they needed him the most.

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“It was always crazy. One of the kids always had to be somewhere or we had something going on so when someone was sick, we needed to get it taken care of quickly,” says Rosie.

Because the Bader family was so busy, they decided that it would make the most sense if they saw a family physician, which is when they began seeing Family Physician Ofer Shustik, M.D. “I liked the idea that we could drive everyone to one place and have everyone seen at the same time. Plus, if one person was sick, it was only a matter of time before everyone else got it as well,” says Rosie.

That was over 20 years ago. Since that time, the Bader family has developed a close relationship with Dr. Shustik and his registered nurse Jean Anne.

“They have always been great. They’ve been seeing the kids since they were babies! Now, it’s just like going to see a family member every time we step into the office,” says Rosie.

During their time seeing Dr. Shustik and Jean Anne, the Bader family sought treatment for everything from the normal sore throats and runny nose to sports physicals, but it wasn’t until Rosie and Jeff’s son Dave was in his early 20’s that they had a more emergent issue.

Dave began suffering from severe stomach pain, and though Dr. Shustik wasn’t sure what was causing the pain, he didn’t give up looking for an answer.

In the end, Dr. Shustik referred Dave to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed him with a sever form of colitis that required surgery. Following the surgery, Dave required routine blood tests, but the drives into the office proved to be so painful that Dr. Shustik suggested that visiting nurses be sent to the house to minimize the pain.

Fortunately, everyone in the Bader family is now healthy and while some of the kids have moved out of town and no longer see Dr. Shustik, Rosie and Jeff have been so happy with the doctor that they have added Jeff’s 90-yearold mother to the list of family members who see him.

“I just keep hoping that he doesn’t retire and we can continue to see him and don’t have to find another doctor,” says Jeff.

Q&A WITH DR. OFER SHUSTIK WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAMILY MEDICINE AND PRIMARY CARE? Family medicine looks at the whole family as a unit and looks at conditions that run in the family like anxiety, depression, and genetic problems. That’s why it’s so important to know not just about you, but your surroundings. I treat many families that are multigenerational.

WHAT AGES DO YOU TREAT? I treat every age from 4-104.

I do treat children as well as adults.

WHY SHOULD PEOPLE COME TO SEE YOU EVEN IF THEY ARE HEALTHY? You don’t just go to the doctor when you are sick; you go when you are healthy so that we can keep you that way. For example, if you have one parent who has diabetes, you may say that you are healthy and don’t have any symptoms, but we like to see you before you have any symptoms. I’m not a fireman, I don’t want to take care of you when you are sick I want to take care of you and your family and keep you well.

WHAT DO YOU GENERALLY DO DURING A PHYSICAL? During a physical we go over the patients overall health and history as well as any changes in their life. We get updates on weight and blood pressure and a general blood test. The entire process takes less than an hour.

“Dr. Shustik was great. He was always so patient with us; he even gave me his cell phone number. I remember one particular time, we had to drive to Philadelphia to get Dave to the emergency room and I called Dr. Shustik in the middle of the night and he was able to really talk me down,” claims Rosie.

Rosie and Jeff were thankful that they had someone to look out for their family during that trying time. “It was nice to know that there was always someone there to answer questions for us and reason with us if we needed it,” says Rosie.

ROSIE & JEFF BADER

OFER SHUSTIK, MD

parents & patients

chief outpatient medicine, chair primary care

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BE AWARE OF POISONS FOR CHILDREN’S AND PETS There are a lot of dangers for both children and pets during the holiday season. Be aware of poisonous plants like poinsettias, holly and mistletoe. Keep the plants out of reach of both children and pets.

AVOID HOLIDAY FIRES The holidays are ripe with fire hazards. Avoid holiday fires by keeping your tree away from heat sources like your fireplace or heaters and make sure you are blowing out candles or putting out fires before the end of the night.

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CHECK LABELS When you buy decorative lights for your house and tree, make sure that they are tested by a nationally recognized testing laboratory facility like Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

The UL logo signals that the lights have met product safety requirements.

DON’T OVERLOAD THAT EXTENSION CORD People tend to use extension cords more during the holidays. If you are using an extension cord, make sure the cord is in good condition and doesn’t have any cuts or frays on it. Also, don’t overload your extension cords with too much.

LADDERS SAFETY If you are using a ladder, whether it is inside or outdoors, make sure you follow the instructions to avoid falling. Also, never use a ladder alone. Make sure there is at least one other person with you in the event that you need help.

AVOID HOLIDAY mishaps... winter 2015

“Tis the season” for laughter, love and of course food. With extra calories lurking behind every corner it’s easy to see why so many people gain weight during the holiday season. However, new research indicates that holiday weight gain may pose a bigger problem than you think.

MOST PEOPLE DON’T LOSE THE EXTRA POUND OR SO THAT THEY GAIN DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON

pound or so that they gain during the holiday season, which means the extra holiday weight eventually adds up, making it an important factor in adult obesity.

Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy the holidays and the food without gaining weight.

According to the National Institute of Health, most people don’t lose the extra

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EAT FIRST Don’t go to holiday parties when you are starving; try to at least eat a nutritious snack first. It’s also a good idea to drink plenty of water beforehand.

LIMIT YOUR ALCOHOL INTAKE Many people indulge in holiday drinks, and while it’s generally okay to have one or two, any more than that can add up to be an extra dinner. If you don’t feel comfortable at a party without a drink, try sipping on club soda or water.

DON’T TASTE TEST Many people who cook a lot find that they aren’t hungry when it comes time to eat, and most of the time it’s because they’ve been taste testing their meal. Try to limit the amount of “tastes” you take of your meal so you don’t fill up beforehand.

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BRING A HEALTHY DISH If you are expected to provide a dish for a holiday party, bring a veggie dish. That way you know there is something healthy for you, and everyone else, to eat.

EAT BREAKFAST There’s a reason why experts say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast sets the tone for your metabolism for the rest of your day so make sure to pack it with plenty of nutrients.

...and WEIGHT GAIN

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Now that the days are shorter and the weather is cooler, it’s a great time to dust off those crock-pots that have been in the closet all summer. Crock-pots offer a great opportunity for both quick and healthy meals as well as side dishes.

CROCKrecipe POT

The beef stroganoff recipe below is a great and filling meal for your whole family, and it’s made with ingredients that contain fewer calories than traditional stroganoff.

BEEF STROGANOFF

INGREDIENTS 1 (1-pound) top round steak (1-inch thick), trimmed 1 cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

PREPARATION

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2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon dried dill 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (8-ounce) package sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups) 3 garlic cloves, minced 1.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1/3 cup) 1 cup fat-free, lower-sodium beef broth 1 (8-ounce) container low-fat sour cream 2 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles (about 4 ounces uncooked)

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Cut steak diagonally across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

Place steak and next 8 ingredients (though garlic) in a 3-quart electric slow cooker; stir well.

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife.

Place flour in a small bowl; gradually add broth, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add broth mixture to slow cooker; stir well.

Cover with lid; cook on high-heat setting 1 hour. Reduce to low-heat setting, and cook 7 to 8 hours or until steak is tender. Turn slow cooker off; remove lid. Let stroganoff stand 10 minutes.

Stir in sour cream. Serve stroganoff over noodles.

MEAL PLANNING for early morning training Staying active and eating healthy have become increasingly more commonplace in today’s society.

However, for the average person it is difficult to find enough time to train. With work, family and friends, there sometimes just isn’t enough time in the day. This leads many people to train early in the morning.

Early morning training has many benefits and can actually increase your energy for the day as well as increase your overall happiness from endorphin release. Sadly, there are also some negatives to early morning training, one of the most glaring being nutrition: when should you eat?

The answer to this question requires a little more insight into your personal situation. Ideally you want to have a full balanced meal before you workout while still allowing time for that food to digest and nutrients to be absorbed (2-3 hours roughly). If this isn’t possible, then a small snack is recommended before your training session. The snack should include some protein, a moderate amount of complex carbohydrates as well as simple sugars and a small amount of healthy fat. A good example would be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a piece of fruit. It should be noted that if you eat only a small snack before working out, it is vitally important that you eat a full meal balanced with proteins, carbohydrates and healthy fat

afterwards. The pre-workout snack is just that...a snack.

It should not be a replacement for your actual breakfast.

Ultimately you need to listen to your body. If you’re sluggish or fatigued and your workout is suffering, then try grabbing a snack before you train or even wake up a little earlier to get a full meal in.

EXAMPLE OF A BALANCED BREAKFAST 4 Whole Eggs 2 Cups Peppers/ Onions 3 Slices Turkey Bacon

1\3 Cup Oatmeal 1 Orange 1 Glass of Almond Milk

TIBOR BODI, JR., MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, CF-L1, ITAT athletic trainer & performance trainer winter 2015

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After falling more than 15 feet and crushing her ankle while rock climbing, 24-year-old Kristin Jaquim feared that she wouldn’t be able to regain her active lifestyle. However, with the help of Coordinated Health Orthopedic Surgeon Jason Rudolph, M.D., Kristen is now reaching new heights.

HEIGHTS NEW REACHING 14

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hen you’re an athlete, there’s always a chance that you could suffer an injury, but those chances go up when you do extreme sports like rock climbing. It’s a fact that never really fazed Nazareth native Kristen Jaquim.

Dr. Rudolph admits that he was taken aback when he first saw Kristen. “We see a lot of injuries on Mondays because people hurt themselves over the weekend, but usually they are sprains and minor fractures, not major breaks like Kristen had,” he claims.

“I know that rock climbing can be dangerous, but it’s not something that I ever really thought of. I just always thought it was a lot of fun and a great total body workout,” says Jaquim.

After confirming her diagnosis, Dr. Rudolph told Kristen that she was going to need two plates and about 11 screws to stabilize her ankle. In order to allow the swelling to go down, he scheduled her surgery three days later.

Kristen was first introduced to rock climbing by her college roommate and found she enjoyed it so much that she joined a rock climbing gym after graduating. In addition to indoor climbing, she also began to venture into some outdoor climbing, which is how she ultimately hurt herself.

Following the surgery, Kristen spent seven weeks on crutches in various walking boots, which she admits was challenging. “I am an extremely active and independent person so not being able to drive and needing to depend on people was challenging. This just made me work harder so that I could get back to my life faster. I looked forward to each visit with Dr. Rudolph and his staff always said they never saw anyone as motivated to start physical therapy,” she says.

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“I was in Lancaster doing some lead climbing, which is more dangerous because you aren’t anchored to the top, you just clip in as you go. I was having trouble finding a solid place to grab and ended up falling about 15 feet in a pendulum swing, cracking my ankle on the side of the mountain,” says Kristen.

I LOOKED FORWARD TO EACH VISIT WITH DR. RUDOLPH AND HIS STAFF ALWAYS SAID THEY NEVER SAW ANYONE AS MOTIVATED TO START PHYSICAL THERAPY.

Kristen was rushed to the nearest emergency room and fortunately the only major injury she sustained was to her ankle. X-rays indicated that she had a trimalleor fracture, meaning she broke her tibia, fibula and talus. In addition, she also dislocated her ankle, which doctors set in the ER. Even though she was living in Philadelphia, Kristen chose to see Coordinated Health Orthopedic Surgeon Jason Rudolph, M.D. for treatment. “All my friends and family recommended Dr. Rudolph,” says Kristen.

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She was in physical therapy three times a week for several months, but when Dr. Rudolph cleared her for rope climbing 10 weeks after surgery she began to see light at the end of the tunnel. Now, 16 weeks post surgery she says that climbing helps her ankle feel better and makes it more mobile. She also has her eyes set on a new goal.

“I am continuing to regain all my strength and confidence to climb outdoors in the spring as well as getting ready for snowboarding in less than a month. I also want to run a half marathon in the spring just to prove to myself that I can do it,” says Kristen.

KRISTIN JAQUIM

JASON RUDOLPH, MD

rock climber & patient

orthopedic surgeon winter 2015

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COORDINATED HEALTH LAUNCHES THE REGION’S FIRST AND ONLY ORTHOPEDIC URGENT CARE Coordinated Health is proud to be the first in the region to offer Orthopedic Urgent Care (OUC) as a new alternative to the emergency room for common orthopedic injuries, including: sprains, strains, fractures and general pain.

Unlike emergency rooms or conventional urgent care facilities, the Orthopedic Urgent Care delivers patients access to world-class orthopedic experts on demand at its 2300 Highland Avenue Campus in Bethlehem.

Coordinated Health selected the Bethlehem Campus for its first Orthopedic Urgent Care because of its access to the network’s award-winning orthopedic surgical hospital, advanced imaging and dedicated physical therapy center.

“As the region’s leader in orthopedics, sports medicine and joints replacements, it was a natural evolution to make CH Orthopedic Urgent Care a part of our continuum,” said Director of Immediate Care Tim DiIorio, MD. “Today, patients want unmatched access to quality when and where they need it the most. Orthopedic Urgent Care is the only place in the region to provide our nationallyrecognized orthopedics in an urgent care setting.”

Since 1988, Coordinated Health physicians have performed more joint replacement surgeries and sports medicine procedures than any health network in the region.

Coordinated Health is home to Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey’s largest cross-functional orthopedics team, including 24 fellowship-trained orthopedic physicians, 40+ athletic trainers, 100+ physical therapists and dozens of imaging experts.

“Patients who visit emergency rooms and conventional urgent care facilities are typically stabilized and referred to orthopedic specialists. This process can take days and sometimes weeks, resulting in higher costs, unnecessary stress and wasted time,” said DiIorio. The OUC allows patients to receive diagnosis, imaging, treatment and continued care in one visit, saving patients valuable time and money.

For patients who don’t require urgent orthopedic care, CH offers seven conveniently located Care On Demand walkin centers and 17 integrated specialty campuses. Patients can schedule appointments through Coordinated Health’s website or by calling 610-861-8080. winter 2015

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STEMCELL strides 18

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For years Bethlehem Township resident Craig Storrs lived with debilitating knee pain and had come to terms with the fact that he was going to need a knee replacement. Fortunately, Coordinated Health orthopedic surgeon James Hoffman, M.D. Had another option.

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nee pain has always been a big part of Craig Storrs’ life. At 18 he was diagnosed with a congenital knee condition, which caused his cartilage to wear down to the point that there was no cartilage left in certain areas. “The pain kept me from pretty much all activities.

I couldn’t walk long distances, I couldn’t do stairs, I liked to golf, but couldn’t walk a golf course for over 20 years. ,” says Craig.

Over the years, Craig saw multiple doctors in his search for treatment options. However, he didn’t see Dr. Hoffman until his son fell and broke his wrist.

“Dr. Hoffman was great and over the course of my son’s treatment we got to talking about my knees and he thought he could help,” claims Craig.

After getting updated imaging studies, Dr. Hoffman confirmed Craig’s initial diagnosis. He began him on a series of hyalgan injections in order to control his pain and swelling. However, he began to prepare him for the fact that he was ultimately going to need a knee replacement.

CRAIG STORRS patient

Craig agreed to the surgery, which was performed as an outpatient procedure in Coordinated Health’s Bethlehem’s Hospital. Dr. Hoffman explains that he went in and did a lateral release, where he released the tendons on the side of the knee to which the kneecap was pulling in order to get it centered.

After that process healed, Dr. Hoffman did another procedure in which he went back in and cleaned up the knee and then drilled holes in the back of the kneecap to access Craig’s own stem cells. He then put a patch over the holes and as the bone marrow came out of the kneecap, the stem cells that were in the marrow would grab on to the patch and create cartilage, thus regenerating Craig’s cartilage.

Following the surgery, Craig was required to stay immobilized for at least three weeks to allow the graft time to work. Then, he began physical therapy. As soon as he was medically able, Craig went ahead and had the same procedure on his other knee.

After almost six months of recovery for both procedures, Craig is pleased to report that he is able to do something that he hasn’t done in years: golf. In addition, he is also able to do things with his family that he has never been able to without pain.

“We went to Luray caverns and I had a moment of panic when I realized we had to go down 73 stairs, but I didn’t have any pain. It was great,” says Craig.

While he knew that it was inevitable, Craig wasn’t looking forward to undergoing a knee replacement and wanted to put it off until he was at least 60, which was still years away. Then one day, Dr. Hoffman approached Craig with an interesting alternative, a surgery that would use his own stem cells to regenerate the cartilage on the back of his knee cap.

Craig admits he had some concerns when Dr. Hoffman initially suggested the surgery. “I was a little nervous when he mentioned stem cells because I wasn’t sure where he was going to get them and how he was going to introduce them into my knee,” says Craig. “But, I was in constant pain and was willing to try almost anything to avoid a knee replacement.”

JAMES HOFFMAN, MD department chair orthopedic biologics winter 2015

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ON CHRISTMAS DAY 2015, COLUMBIA PICTURES WILL RELEASE THE FILM

CONCUSSION, a dramatic retelling of the efforts of a forensic pathologist to expose the long-term and often fatal results of repeated concussions in NFL players.

Starring Will Smith and directed by Ridley Scott, the film is set to spark a national conversation about protecting athletes from concussions. As the Lehigh Valley’s leader in sports medicine for more than 27 years, Coordinated Health supports the Concussion movie’s effort to raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries (TBI), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and concussion prevention.

CH’s sports medicine experts dedicate a significant amount of their efforts toward educating athletes, coaches, parents and communities about concussion safety. All CH-affiliated athletes are provided with baseline IMPACT testing, which is a comprehensive cognitive test that helps clinicians compare brain activity before and after head injury.

To commemorate the release of the Concussion movie, CH will announce a series of special offers and events that will bring athletes and their supporters into the excitement of the concussion prevention movement. Check CoordinatedHealth.com on December 18 to join the action!

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WORKPLACE ergonomics OBJECT PLACEMENT

• Keep important objects like your telephone,

stapler, etc. close to your body to prevent excessive stretching.

• Ideally your keyboard should be about one to two

B

ack pain is one of the most common work place injuries, especially among those who work in more physically demanding jobs. But, many people are surprised to learn that their administrative job could also leave them at risk for back and neck pain.

“While it might not make sense initially, sitting puts more pressure on your back than standing does. Sitting, especially for extended periods of time, causes muscles to get tired and stiff. The sitting can also interfere with blood circulation in the lower body allowing less oxygen to get to nerve and muscle cells in the back,” says Coordinated Health Physiatrist Jason Smith, M.D. According to the American Chiropractic Association, most back injuries suffered in the workplace are as a result of repetitive stress and are caused by poorly designed workstations and poor posture. Fortunately, Dr. Smith says there are ways to lower your risk of work-related back and neck pain.

“The best thing to do is set up your workspace ergonomically. Adapting the job to fit the worker can help reduce stress and eliminate many potential problems and pain. Something as simple as adjusting the distance of a keyboard can lead to a significant decline in the risk of back pain in the future,” says Dr. Smith.

inches above your thighs and tilted towards you.

CHAIR ADJUSTMENT

• Adjust your chair so that your feet are flat on the ground and your knees are level with your hips.

• Place a cushion between the curve in your lower back and the back of your chair for extra support.

POSITIONING

• Make sure your mouse is within easy reach to the side of your keyboard.

• If you aren’t actually typing, keep your wrist in a natural, straight position.

POSTURE

• It’s important to sit up straight and center your body in front of your keyboard and monitor.

• Keep your thighs horizontal with your knees and around the same level as your hips.

• Your forearms should be level or tilted slightly up.

Ergonomics can be simply defined as the study of work and the science of fitting the jobs to the people who work in them. It includes looking at things like the height of your chair to the way your computer screen is tilted.

The best way to make sure your workspace is designed ergonomically is to have a trained professional visit you and do an assessment. But, Dr. Smith has some tips to get you started.

JASON SMITH, MD physiatrist

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IN THE NEWS OCTOBER NAZARETH TRAINING ROOM On Monday, October 5, the Nazareth Area High School athletic training team celebrated the opening of its brand new training room, which was made possible by contributions from Coordinated Health. The room features a new ice machine and has helped athletes significantly by combining all of their health needs in one place.

RAILRIDERS CH CEO Dr. Emil DiIorio was the keynote speaker at an event held by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce on October 27. Dr. DiIorio spoke on “The Affordable Care Act and the Empowered Employer: How Organizations Can Retake Control of Their Healthcare Costs While Improving the Quality of Care and Health of Their Employees,” during the event at the home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field in Moosic.

WOMEN’S HEALTH To commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, CH sponsored and attended several large-scale support events, including the Women’s 5K Classic, Just Born Employee Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Finish the Fight against Breast Cancer. The Women’s Health team provided vital health screenings like bone density scans and blood pressure checks, along with information about Coordinated Health’s women’s health services.

PHILLIPSBURG OPEN HOUSE Coordinated Health invited business and community leaders to privately tour its new integrated health campus in Phillipsburg on Tuesday, October 27.

The event drew more than 40 guests, who were escorted on individual tours of the facility and offered demonstrations on fitness and ergonomics. Several CH physicians were on hand to meet their new neighbors, and many attendees expressed interest in using CH’s services.

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NOVEMBER PARKLAND HIGH AND CH WIN SAFE SPORTS SCHOOL 1ST TEAM AWARD In mid-November, CH received the exciting news that Parkland High, a CH sports medicine-supported school, received a prestigious award from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. The award champions safety and recognizes secondary schools that provide safe environments for student athletes. It also reinforces the importance of providing the best level of care, injury prevention and treatment. The award was announced on December 15 at the Parkland School District board meeting.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK As the fall season draws to a close, Coordinated Health Athlete of the Week program hit record participation and engagement for the Fall 2015 season. More than 15,000 votes were cast for area athletes thanks to a new voting system that allows users to control the winner of each week’s scholarship. Thank you to all who helped build the buzz and excitement about #CHaotw!

VETERAN HEALTHCARE INITIATIVE On Veteran’s Day, Coordinated Health joined the Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council and local government leaders in announcing the steps that regional health networks have taken to provide better care for veterans. CH is part of the LVMAC Healthcare in Our Communities (HOC) project, which has led the nation in creating a system of veteran identification, tracking and specialized care.

Grand View Health, Lancaster General Health, and Pocono Medical Center. The project is supported by the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania and the Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center.

The LVMAC project is a partnership between all of the region’s major health networks, including Coordinated Health, Easton Hospital, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Sacred Heart Hospital,

winter 2015

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