Summer 2018 Legacy Community Health Board of Directors Amanda Goodie-Roberts Chairperson
Alex Jessett Vice-Chairperson Beryl Basham Secretary
Naveen Pinglay Treasurer
Glenna Pierpont
At-Large / Executive Committee
Tony Bravo Beth Bruce George Burch Abigail Caudle, M.D. Victor Cordova, Jr. Richard Davidson Bethsheba Johnson Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D. Johnson Olatunji Marissa Taler
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board of Directors Tripp Carter Chairperson
Brent N. Whiteley Vice-Chairperson
Bryan Hlavinka Secretary
Mike Holloman Treasurer
Michael Alexander Joshua L. Espinedo Melanie Gray
Board Member Emeritus
Melissa Mithoff
Board Member Emeritus
James A. Reeder, Jr. Board Member Emeritus
Monsour Taghdisi
Board Member Emeritus
Claire Cormier Thielke Board Member Emeritus
OB2Pedi and Take Control of Diabetes:
New Programs Help Patients Make Healthy Choices he Centers for Disease Control says preventing illnesses before they occur keeps health care costs low and helps people live longer, healthier lives. That’s why Legacy has launched two new programs that encourage patients to take an active role in their health care: Take Control of Diabetes and OB2Pedi (Obstetrics to Pediatrics). Legacy providers and medical staff developed the programs to better coordinate care while empowering patients with knowledge to make better choices for their own well-being. Legacy providers and medical staff developed the programs to better coordinate care while empowering patients with knowledge to make better choices for their own well-being. “Diabetes is particularly difficult for our patient population to manage, because they don’t have easy access to resources,” says Legacy’s Director of Family Practice Dr. Patricia Hayes. “It’s harder to eat healthy when you don’t have money to buy healthy, fresh food, or afford insulin or a glucometer to check blood sugar.” Take Control of Diabetes focuses on patients who don’t have their diabetes under control. Participants attend classes to learn how to manage their condition, track blood sugar levels, and begin exercise plans. Legacy pharmacists consult with the patients’ provider about medication changes. A dietician offers guidelines on healthy food choices, and a Legacy endocrinologist is available for more challenging cases (a second bilingual endocrinologist is coming on board later this year). Preliminary results from the program, which launched late last year, are encouraging. Patients report more confidence in managing their diabetes, which, if uncontrolled, can cause traumatic health problems. “I know the terrible outcomes when a patient’s diabetes is out of control, including amputation or blindness,” says Dr. Hayes, who also has diabetes. “Even as a physician it’s hard for me to juggle my medical appointments, so I’m thrilled we can offer this comprehensive program to our patients.” Dr. Hayes hopes to expand the program to people with Type I/Juvenile diabetes, and pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Legacy’s OB2Pedi program for new mothers and their babies begins this summer. Legacy provides all patients a set of booklets to guide pregnant women through their prenatal care, through the baby’s birth, and then into their new role as a mother. The material, packaged in a folder for easy access, is designed to create a seamless
Patient Health Educator Charlie Zarikian with some of the materials for his Diabetes Education Class
handoff between Legacy’s obstetrics (OB) providers to our pediatricians, reassuring new mothers and their partners that they’re part of an interconnected care team. “What we’re doing is a huge step for OB and Pedi in this area,” says Dr. Vian Nguyen, Legacy’s Medical Director of OB/GYN. “Doctors in private practices don’t have the luxury of knowing what happens after Mom leaves the hospital, or if she even follows up with her baby’s pediatrician appointments. This new program removes that mystery.” The first book, “The Journey Begins,” helps women track prenatal visits and understand the changes their bodies will go through during pregnancy. As the baby’s due date gets closer, “Your Labor of Love” helps women create a birth plan, review breastfeeding options, and understand the conflicting emotions many new mothers face in the first few weeks after birth. “The postpartum blues can be a chaotic time,” says Dr. Nguyen, who’s just had her third child. “I’ve had a lot of support, but for me it’s been a difficult time. We want Moms to know they’re not alone, that they can talk about their feelings and ask for help.” And, if the blues become postpartum depression, Legacy’s providers can more readily get Mom into treatment. The third book, “Your New Addition,” directs Mom and Dad to educational classes and reminds them to schedule well-baby visits with their new pediatrician. “Even new families just coming to Legacy with a new baby or an adopted baby can benefit,” says Dr. Tamisha Jones, Legacy’s Medical Director of Pediatrics. “The book has answers about about car seats and vaccine schedules, and information about recognizing warning signs so families know when to call the doctor. These easy-to-navigate guidebooks answer so many questions that new parents often ask.” Giving patients peace of mind and more ways to stay well, OB2Pedi and Take Control of Diabetes are the latest examples of Legacy’s innovative programming that connects our communities to health.
Dr. Tamisha Jones and Dr. Vian Nguyen with the new OB2Pedi booklets