WellAware Summer 2013 by Mid-Columbia Medical Center

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MID-COLUMBIA MEDICAL CENTER

Telestroke Technology t

Using Your Mind To Reduce Stress

Acupuncturist Gets to the Points Summer 2013

The Fore Amigos Sharing Stories of Golf and Cancer

mcmc.net

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Dear Neighbor It wasn’t long ago that we were working feverishly to recruit new providers to the area to address an access problem that had developed when several physicians either retired or relocated within a few months of each other. Today I feel fortunate to be able to say those days seem like ancient history. Not only have we filled the primary care gaps that were left in this community, we have also been able to add significantly to the options available locally for specialty care. In recent months we added Dr. Mark Cullen and physician assistant Kristen Nicolescu to our orthopaedics and sports medicine team at Water’s Edge. Dr. Cullen is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and the sub-specialty of sports medicine. In June, nurse practitioners Loreen Leu and Brittany Fallon joined our cardiology and internal medicine staffs, respectively. Two new internal medicine physicians, Drs. Nona Niculescu and Dorothy Sherwood, will join us in late summer/early fall. Dr. Sherwood also is a geriatrics specialist. And this September, Dr. Melinda Cushing will open the first full-time dermatology practice in our community. Finally, and this will be great news for women throughout the Gorge, two additional Ob/Gyns will be moving to the area in late summer. Drs. Ananda Boyer and Lena Weinman will join Analene Pentopoulos, M.D., Mandy Morgan, C.N.M., and Jennifer Wilde, F.N.P. in Columbia River Women’s Center which, I am also pleased to announce, is the newest addition to the MCMC family of medical care providers. CRWC will join the other clinics that comprise Mid-Columbia Outpatient Clinics. We’re excited to have the opportunity to expand and enhance the care of women and newborns in the Gorge in conjunction with our First Impressions staff. So whether you are looking for preventive/primary care or have the need for a specialist, you now have access to more — and a more diverse array of — outstanding providers than ever before.

Duane Francis President/CEO

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Summer 2013 t

It is Our Mission… To lead and act as a catalyst in promoting health for all people. To recognize the individual as a whole human being with different needs that must be enthusiastically met. To communicate a vision of health, art, education, technology and create a center for healing which will continually upgrade the quality of life in the community environment in which we live. To empower people to become partners in their health care. Mid-Columbia Medical Center is a not-for-profit healthcare organization offering comprehensive services to the Mid-Columbia Region and governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees: Robert L.R. Bailey Daniel Boldt Paul Cardosi, MD Rob Carnahan Duane Francis Carina Schmidt Wallace Wolf, Jr., DVM

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Ride On! Every time Trisha Shultz takes off on her bike, she puts the health problems of her past a little farther behind her.

The Fore Amigos Four long-time friends are bonded by their love of golf and their experiences with cancer.

Reality TV Telemedicine technology helps MCMC ER doctors confer longdistance with OHSU specialists at the bedside to benefit stroke patients.

Healthy Edge How to use water to promote health and well being

Getting to the Points MCMC’s new acupuncturist provides relief for patients with an array of symptoms by targeting trigger points that tell the brain where the body needs attention.

Mind Your Mind Practicing mindfulness can help you reduce stress and improve your overall health.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center 1700 East 19th Street The Dalles, OR 97058 mcmc.net

Writers: Dick Baltus, Cate Hotchkiss, Mark Adams, Jim Hays

In This Issue:

WellAware is published by:

Editor: Dick Baltus e-mail: richardb@mcmc.net

16 Wellness at Water’s Edge Clinics, classes and programs to help you reach your healthy best.

Photography by: Lauri Streaker Pages 2-4, 9, 10, 12 & 15 Jesse Larvick Cover and pages 6-8 Jim Semlor Pages 3, 11 & 14 Printed with Agri based inks on recycled paper,10% post consumer. All rights reserved. No information may be reprinted without the written consent of MCMC.

On the cover: Four long-time friends Jim Nordquist, Jim McGee, Don McKinney and Dale Harris tee it up.

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By Cate Hotchkiss c

Ride On! Every time Trisha Shultz takes off on her bike, she puts the health problems of her past a little farther behind her.

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When Trisha Shultz arrived at the Cherry Blossom Duathlon in The Dalles in April to compete in her ﬁrst bike race, she quickly noticed the fancy cycles around her. She began to worry that she didn’t have the right gear and perhaps the event was more competitive than she’d imagined. “I have a basic bike,” she says. “It’s heavier than a lot of them.”

“You can start with something small, like walking around the block, getting in the pool and seeking someone who will be your cheerleader, who supports you.”

Then she received a text from her son, Garrett—“Mom, you got this.” She got it, alright. On her basic bike, she battled heart disease and got stronger. On her basic bike, she peddled away the stress of being a single mom after a divorce. And on her basic bike, she rocked the 18.6-mile ride on the Old Columbia Highway before transferring her timing chip to her boyfriend and teammate, Kenn Green, who completed the two 5K running legs of the race. “It’s about going and doing it,” says Shultz. “It’s about seeing what you can do. It was good to say I finished.” Shultz says the best part about cycling is it simply makes her feel good. “It’s a mental break,” she says. “When I’m on my bike, everything else fades away. It’s just about the next corner or the next bend or the next hill. That’s all there is. You’re just right there in the moment. It’s very peaceful, even though it’s exhausting at times.” Born and raised in Hood River, Shultz, a medical assistant at MCMC | OHSU Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, has always enjoyed riding bikes and hiking in the Gorge with her two boys, Ryan, 22, and Garrett, 19, who she says are her biggest supporters. “It’s amazing to have these boys that encourage me and believe in me,” she says. “When the boys finished growing up and were ready to move on, I had the time and opportunity to re-define who I was, to find me. I discovered I'm stronger and more capable than I had ever thought.” Certainly, she never thought she’d compete in a bike race or any kind of endurance event because of her lifelong heart issues. In fact, two years ago she stopped exercising altogether due to erratic heart rates. Her cardiologist diagnosed her with atrial fibrillation and flutter and put her on a number of medications, all of which had side effects and failed to manage her symptoms. So Shultz had cardiac catheter ablation, which took care of most of her symptoms; however, she still had a high heart rate, which her doctor said was likely from de-conditioning. She needed to exercise again and increase her endurance.

— Trisha Shultz She started with a Spin class at Water’s Edge, a high-intensity cycling workout that she modified to fit her needs. The instructor, Suzi Griffin, allowed Shultz to self-monitor, while checking in with her throughout the class. “Suzi knew my diagnosis and let me be there and work as hard as I could while asking me how I was doing and feeling,” Shultz says. “I got to a point where I really liked it and was excelling. I could ride and push myself harder, which made it more fun. I think that’s why a lot of people do what they do when they compete — it’s a reminder of how strong you are and what you are capable of.” She also added circuit training at the fitness center at Water’s Edge, and before long she was jogging. Recently, she started kayaking. In fact, in the fall, she and Green plan to do a triathlon consisting of running, cycling and kayaking. “We’re always looking for our next adventure,” says Shultz.

Go For It During her 14 years as a medical assistant, Shultz has worked with people with physical challenges ranging from obesity to diabetes to those recovering from orthopaedic injuries. She says it’s important for people not to let their medical conditions deﬁne them. “There’s always room for improvement,” she says. “You can start with something small, like walking around the block, getting in the pool and seeking someone who will be your cheerleader, who supports you.” In fact, studies show that when people start to exercise, they increase willpower in other aspects of their lives, too. This is certainly true for Shultz. Since she’s become an athlete, her diet and eating patterns have naturally improved and she’s become healthier overall. “Why not try something,” says Shultz. “Give it a shot. Don’t give up.”

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By Jim Hays

The Fore Amigos Four long-time friends are bonded by their love of golf and their experience with cancer. No one seems to know exactly when Jim McGee, Dale Harris, Don McKinney and Jim Nordquist became a regular golf foursome at The Dalles Country Club. It happened too long ago. “I think we were just put together one time, like any other foursome,” says McGee, the senior member of the group at age 85. However it happened, the four have been playing the course together for decades, They’re all longtime members at the well-kept nine-hole layout just west of town on the old Columbia River Highway, where it seems they might enjoy zinging each other with stories and good-natured ribs as much as their golf game together. They’ve all lived in the area for decades and raised their families here. They’ve something else in common, too. All four men are either current or former patients at Mid-Columbia Medical Center’s Celilo Cancer Center. And while getting cancer is an experience they all

would have gladly skipped, they’re grateful for having the innovative, highly rated care of Celilo’s skilled staff nearby. “They’ve really treated me well,” says Harris. “It’s been everything you could want.” Harris, 81, is recovering from some intense radiation therapy at Celilo during the winter to reduce tumors in both lungs. And McGee, who has battled both prostate and bladder cancers during the last decade, is just as high on Celilo, too. “They’ve got some great people there,” he says. “And I think I’ve been treated by everyone here at one time or another.” Cancer treatments have kept Harris and McGee off the golf course, but Harris recently felt well enough to start playing again, and McGee – who also receives kidney dialysis three days a week — is thinking about a comeback, too.

Dale Harris:

Saving on Haircuts Side effects of radiation therapy affect people in different ways. In Harris’ case, despite an intense radiation regimen, his hair didn’t fall out – it just stopped growing. “I haven’t had a haircut since February,” he says, doﬃng his cap to show his short, white hair. “Haven’t needed one.” Harris operated a janitorial business in The Dalles before selling out and retiring two decades ago. He and his wife Bernice have been married for 58 years. He knew 6

he was bouncing back from the debilitating effects of his radiation treatment when he was able to get out and work in his garden. And he started planning to get back onto the golf course. As for his hair, even though he hasn’t picked up a razor in months, Harris’s face looks like he shaved just before coming to the golf course. But he’s encouraged. “I’m starting to feel a whisker or two coming in, so I think that’s a good sign,” he says.

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Jim Nordquist:

The Youngster About to turn 70, Nordquist is the “young kid” in the group, jokes Jim McGee. A retired engineer in the aluminum business, Nordquist invested in farmland in Wasco and Sherman counties and two years ago purchased and completely renovated Pine Meadows Golf Course near Tygh Valley. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, Nordquist was one of the ﬁrst patients to be treated with Celilo’s Elekta Synergy linear accelerator

– which combines computerized tomography (CT) with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to help the center’s specialists even more precisely and effectively deliver the advanced IMRT technology that has been available since Celilo opened. Nordquist is cancer-free again and active in his business interests, which he shares with his wife of 42 years, Darlene.

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Jim McGee:

He’s Been Through it All McGee drives to the country club in a burgundy golf cart with a white top and a pair of Oregon State University stickers on the windshield — symbols of his loyalty to his alma mater. It’s a quick trip; the home where he lives with Jane, his wife of 63 years, is just a chip shot from the country club’s practice green. A retired paper salesman for Crown Zellerbach, McGee has been a member of the golf club for 46 years. He once played to a 6 handicap, but said his advancing age and illnesses have pushed it higher. Harris has another explanation.

“He’s always had a great swing,” Harris deadpans as he sits in the passenger seat of McGee’s cart on a sun-drenched afternoon. “He just doesn’t know how to play golf.” McGee became a patient at Celilo in 2001, when he was ﬁrst diagnosed with prostate cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation have kept that cancer at bay, but cancer was later found in his bladder, and when his kidneys failed, he started receiving dialysis. “I’m hanging in there,” he says. “I think I’m ready for just about everything because I’ve already been through just about everything.”

Don McKinney:

Quick to Laugh McKinney, 76, is noticing that his hair, which he lost during his cancer treatment, is starting to grow back.

After his cancer surgery and subsequent radiation, McKinney returned to Celilo to be checked for a recurrence.

“I think I have three or four hairs up there now,” he says, rubbing the top of his head.

He says the staff at Celilo took their time and made sure he was cancer free.

“You’ve always had three or four hairs,” McGee shoots back with a smile.

“They told me they didn’t ﬁnd anything,” he says.

“Ought to make it easy for the barber,” McKinney responds.

He’s feeling well enough to go mushroom hunting and displays some large morel mushrooms he found in the Cascades foothills near Tygh Valley. “About the 4,000 foot level,” he says. “You have to know where to look for these.”

A retired aluminum worker, McKinney and his wife of 48 years, Beverly, were long active in the Oregon Senior and Junior/Senior Golf Association and both still play. McKinney was part of a winning best-ball team recently.

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By Jim Hays

MCMC's Dr. Patrick Grimsley and OHSU's Dr. Hormozd Bozorgchami partnered long-distance via telestroke technology to achieve a successful outcome for a recent stroke patient.

Reality TV When W hen an ambulance delivered deelivered d Clarence Clarrence Renno Renn no to to Mid-Columbia Medical Center’s’s’ emergency em mergencyy department dep partmeent on n a Friday night last FFebruary, ebruary, y the 65-year-old y, 65-year-old d was wass having haviing g trouble troub ble speaking and felt f lt fe weakness weak kness on his rightt side. sidee. He was having a stroke – potentially a serious one. But today Renno is back home in Wishram and almost back to normal again, thanks to quick recognition of his symptoms by Dr. Patrick Grimsley, the physician on duty in the emergency room that night; the swift administration of an anti-clotting drug; and MCMC’s participation in Oregon Health & Science University’s telemedicine network. “They saved my quality of life,” Renno says. “I would at least have been paralyzed.” Through its telemedicine network, OHSU provides consultation to MCMC for pediatric, newborn and stroke emergency care. The telestroke program uses robotics and high-deﬁnition video to quickly connect possible stroke patients at smaller hospitals with experienced neurologists and stroke specialists at OHSU via the Internet. It can be a huge help to the emergency room physician. “It’s always great to have another doctor taking a look to ensure that the patient gets the correct treatment,” says Dr. Grimsley,

Telemedicine technology helps MCMC ER doctors confer long-distance with OHSU specialists at the bedside to benefit stroke patients

TTelestroke Te leestroke uses robotics and high-deﬁnition vide video to quickly connect possible stroke pati patients at smaller hospitals like MCMC with experienced neurologists and stroke specialists at OHSU. who did the initial examination of Renno and started the stroke protocols in place at MCMC. The telestroke technology lets the neurologist — in Renno’s case, Dr. Hormozd Bozorgchami, at OHSU — see and talk to the patient in order to help make treatment decisions more quickly at a time when delay can make a critical situation for the patient into something much worse. “The best part about telestroke is that it gives me the opportunity to triage a patient actively,” says Dr. Bozorgchami. Not only can the doctor see the patient on video, the patient and family can see and talk to the doctor. “For a lot of families that is important,” says Dr. Bozorgchami. “It keeps them in the loop. They can hear me talking to the patient instead of my just being on the phone talking to the emergency room doctor.” Continued on page 15 9

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Healthy Edge

Healthful News From the Health & Wellness Experts at Water’s Edge

Hydrotherapy — Just Add Water It’s almost that simple. And when mixed with therapeutic botanicals, minerals and luxurious body scrubs, the results are dramatic. Hydrotherapy, or the use of water to promote health and well-being, is an essential element on the menu at the Spa at Water’s Edge. “Hydrotherapies not only feel great, they also deliver unique benefits and can enhance and balance other spa treatments,” says Martina Rizzo, an esthetician and health and wellness operations manager at Water’s Edge. Clients often pair water treatments with a facial or massage for the optimal spa experience. Here are some ways you can add just water to your next Spa visit:

Rain Hydrotherapy “Rain hydrotherapy is a treatment that combines the benefits of massage and facial for your whole body,” explains Rizzo. During the treatment, the client reclines on a cushioned table underneath a Vichy shower, a multiple showerhead system that simulates a warm, gentle tropical rainfall. The shower acts like a massage, helping to reduce stress, stimulate blood circulation and relax tight muscles. The pressure and temperature can be adjusted according to the client’s preferences. Next, the therapist gently exfoliates the entire body with a chamomile body scrub that stimulates circulation and leaves skin feeling smooth and soft.

“Having a healthy cell turnover is really important for our skin,” says Rizzo. “As we age, our body’s natural exfoliation process slows down. There is a fine balance between exfoliating and keeping the skin healthy and between over-exfoliating and keeping it inflamed. We help people find the right balance for their skin type.” After thoroughly rinsing away the salts, the therapist applies a soothing moisturizer to nourish the skin. “The treatment helps to stimulate the lymphatic and balance the nervous system of the body,” Rizzo explains. “It helps to flush out toxins and get things moving. It’s a form of detoxification for the body.” Pair with a facial for healthy glowing skin from head to toe.

Botanical Mineral Bath Therapy Immersing in a mineral bath helps the body eliminate toxins, supports deep relaxation, provides pain relief and aids in digestion. “The treatment helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system—in other words, it helps the body let off the gas pedal, slow down and shift into repair stage,” says Rizzo. During the treatment, therapeutic minerals and botanicals are added to a private soaking tub. The therapy includes a 10- to 20-minute soak. The bath also includes a mini-reflexology treatment. Reflexology is a healing art based on the principle that there are reflex points in the feet corresponding to every system of the body. Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps to promote the natural function of the related body area. Pair with a facial or therapeutic massage.

Vichy Shower

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Simplify Skin Care With all the skincare products and treatments available these days, how do you know where to start? And what really works? The Spa’s estheticians can help you develop a skin-care program tailored to your needs, including products that support skin health. Here’s how to begin: • Start with a complimentary skincare consultation. The Spa’s estheticians will examine your skin under a magnifying glass and discuss your needs and concerns, health history, lifestyle and any sensitivities you have. They may also refer you to a dermatologist for certain medical conditions. • Schedule a facial, which includes a skin analysis. Facials can be customized to treat aging skin, sun damage, rosacea, sensitive skin, acne and other common skin conditions. Facials feel great while improving the health and appearance of your skin. • Establish a good home-care routine. The Spa’s estheticians will recommend products that support the length and life of the Spa treatment. • The adage, you are what you eat, is certainly true when it comes to your skin. Give your skin a boost by adding antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies to your diet. Berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are chock-full of antioxidants (and delicious in smoothies).

Try Osmosis The Spa at Water’s Edge carries a full line of medical skincare products by Osmosis. These products are formulated to support and correct the skin at its core rather than temporarily fixing it, which differentiates the line from others on the market, explains Rizzo. “We want to look for products that can actually make a difference in the health of our skin—that deliver beneficial ingredients to the living deeper layers of the skin, as opposed to just sitting on the top,” Rizzo says. “Osmosis is designed to give the skin the nutrients it needs to heal itself.” Rizzo usually starts people with basic products that cleanse, treat the skin for an individual’s condition or skin type, moisturize and protect with a high-quality sunblock. She also recommends gently exfoliating every so often to encourage the skin’s natural exfoliation process. “The idea is to try to eliminate the amounts of crazy creams and lotions that we have in our bathrooms that we buy and think will work, use the product for a while and never finish using it and then buy another one and another one,” she says. Osmosis also offers a new line of mineral makeup, which is already very popular among clients because it provides natural coverage without looking heavy or accentuating pores or flaws, says Rizzo. The Spa’s estheticians can help you choose and apply makeup, too. For more information, call 541-506-5788.

Martina Rizzo, an esthetician and health and wellness operations manager at Water’s Edge

Visit our beauty, fitness and nutrition boards on Pinterest at pinterest.com/mcmchealth

Steam Facial

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By Mark Adams

Getting to the Points MCMC’s new acupuncturist provides relief for patients with an array of symptoms by targeting trigger points that tell the brain where the body needs attention.

Nikol Angel Clark says she was brewing herbal teas to support family health at an age when most kids are still clamoring for chocolate milk. That’s how young she was when she was ﬁrst started thinking about complementary medicine. “My parents enjoyed exploring Eastern philosophy and thought and passed that on to me,” says MCMC’s new licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. “I’ve always been interested in alternative medicine – I was making teas and giving massages when I was 5 or 6 years old. I was just drawn to it.” Clark joined the staff at Water’s Edge in February and reports the experience thus far has been nothing short of awesome. “It feels so right to be part of an integrated organization with such a mindful philosophy in a pioneering position,” she says. She’s admittedly run up against her share of skeptics during eight years of clinical acupuncture experience, but remains a staunch advocate of her discipline. And she has a preferred way of silencing any naysayers about a traditional therapy in Chinese medicine that has gained increasing acceptance in the West in recent decades. “I just ask them to keep an open mind and come in and try it,” Clark says. “This isn’t voodoo in the back parlor. It is relatively new in the West, but in Eastern medicine it has a very old and very sustainable reputation.” Clark notes that respected medical institutions in the U.S. like the Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic and Kaiser Permanente health care facilities, have all begun offering acupuncture programs in recent years, many insurance plans now pay for the treatment. Acupuncture has been Nikol Angel Clark

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offered as part of MCMC’s Integrated Therapies program for more than 20 years. Being an advocate for complementary therapies is part of her role at Water’s Edge, Clark says. “Acupuncture needs to be fully accepted and integrated as a treatment,” she says. While researchers continue to look at how acupuncture therapy works on the body, Clark says there are different ways of assessing the treatment’s effectiveness. In Eastern thought, practitioners believe there is an energy field coursing through the body. When needles stimulate specific pressure points along the energy field’s route, beneficial results occur. In Western medicine, researchers believe when an acupuncture “trigger point” is stimulated, a message is sent to the brain, which then sends a message to a specific part of the body. For example, Clark says there is a point on the wrist that can alleviate nausea when stimulated, while a point on the hand aids in headache relief. The pressure points are different for each person, she says, and it is important to know a patient’s full history. “On the holistic side of health care, it’s not just ‘You have heart disease’,” she says. “It’s also about where does it come from? What are your relationships like, at home and at work? How are you sleeping? What’s in your diet? How often do you exercise? How can the staff at Water’s Edge and MCMC help bring balance to your life? That’s really what alternative and holistic health programs are all about.” After assessing a patient using a full complement of lifestyle questions, Clark says she asks likely candidates to come in and try acupuncture over three treatment sessions. “If they don’t feel any better we’ll try something else, but we should see results over three sessions,” she says. And Clark doesn’t restrict her treatment of patients to just acupuncture. Using her education and training in complementary and alternative therapies, her treatment options also include massage therapy using soothing oils and liniment, herbal and nutritional aids and yoga instruction to help patients gain relief in a variety of areas. Chronic pain is at the top of the list of medical conditions she helps treat. “Acupuncture is essential for treating pain and inflammation,” Clark says, including support for back, knee and other joint problems and even pain from migraine headaches.

Can Acupuncture Work For You? Acupuncture treatment may be effective for a variety of medical conditions, including: • • • • • • •

Pain and inﬂammation • Nausea Migraine headaches • Sleep disturbances Stress management • Weight management Relaxation therapy • Smoking cessation Nervous system disorders like Bell’s palsy or neuropathies Women’s health and hormone regulation Neuro-emotional disorders like depression

Acupuncture is also used for disturbances of the central nervous system like Bell’s palsy and diabetic neuropathies, women’s health and hormone regulation, sleep disturbances and stress management, and it has been studied for alleviating depression, helping with weight management and even in aiding smokingcessation efforts. There are no tricks or magical cures involved, Clark says, and acupuncture treatment isn’t a “one-and-done” proposition where patients walk away healed after a single session. She likens it to physical therapy, where treatment is ongoing and dictated by a patient’s needs. “It’s a proces and depends on variables like how long a patient’s had an ailment and how severe it is,” she says. “Like physical therapy, you have to give yourself to the program.” Parameters used to assess progress focus on three areas — the frequency, intensity and duration of a symptom. Once a baseline measurement is made, it is possible to rate a patient’s response. It’s the success stories that make her job worthwhile, she says, like treating a farmer who had tried everything to ease sciatic nerve pain and ﬁnally found relief through acupuncture. “Patients are able to enjoy life again,” she says. “That’s very important to me; it’s deﬁnitely what keeps me going.” For more information about acupuncture or to make an appointment with Nikol Angel Clark, please call 541.298.2378.

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By By Cate Cate Hotchkiss Hotchkiss

Mind Your Y ur Mind Yo

Jill Kieﬀer, RN

Practicing mindfulness can help you reduce stress and improve your overall health.

We know that chronic stress is bad for our health and we should strive to manage it. Yet, is it possible to ﬁnd some peace of mind in our hectic, busy lives? Well, yes, according to Jill Kieffer, R.N., who teaches mindfulness meditation at MCMC. But it takes practice. “We all have glimpses of time when we feel like our perspective is healthy; we feel at ease, balanced,” says Kieffer. “Practicing mindfulness can help you get to that place.” Kieffer studied with internationally known scientist, writer and meditation teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., who developed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School more than 30 years ago. Studies have consistently shown that mindfulness helps people reduce stress and improve emotional and physical health. Here, Kieffer gives us a taste of what mindfulness is and how it can beneﬁt anyone seeking to create a greater sense of well-being.

What, exactly, is mindfulness? “Mindfulness is paying attention in a certain way,” says Kieffer. “It’s about moment-tomoment awareness.” It also involves acceptance or paying attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them, she says. “If you’re aware of the sunset, mindfulness is just being aware of the sunset,” she explains. “You fall away from mindfulness when you start comparing that sunset to other sunsets. Or not even seeing the sunset anymore, but thinking about what you forgot to get done that day. All of a sudden, you’re in thought and not just with the sunset anymore. But you can become mindful again if you’re aware that your mind is all over the place. “After a while you start to feel the ease of being in the present moment.” Letting go of certain thoughts and feelings that the mind wants to hold on to is another key aspect of mindfulness. “We learn to let go of the grasping and resistance, which leads to tension,” says

Kieffer. “There is joy and relief in letting go — we don’t have to be so gripped.” By tuning into how the mind actually works, we can begin to nurture a sense of wellbeing and balance; a feeling of being at ease, she says.

Why practice mindfulness? Kieffer’s clients come to her mindfulness classes for various reasons — to ease pain, stress, anxiety or depression. Some are looking for more meaning in their lives. Others want to make healthier choices — to lose weight, exercise more or quit smoking. The benefits of mindfulness are well documented. Research shows that mindfulness reduces tension, anxiety and stress. It helps people think more clearly and focus more. It helps decrease pain by stimulating the relaxation response in the body. Mindfulness also fights obesity by helping people choose to eat better. “By eating mindfully, instead of on autopilot, we eat less and feel more satisfied,” Kieffer says.

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Studies show that mindfulness gives people a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. It even helps kids learn better in school by promoting reﬂection, selfregulation and caring for others. “Cultivating mindfulness can beneﬁt anyone, at any stage of life, in any situation,” says Kieffer. “It’s a way of living, of being that naturally leads to better choices.”

How to begin “At ﬁrst, mindfulness takes guidance and practice,” Kieffer explains. “Once you get used to getting there, then you kind of build stamina around it, so that you can go there more frequently.” To get started, she recommends signing up for the eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program in the fall at Water’s Edge. She also offers free mindfulness presentations each month in the evenings. (See WellAware calendar for details). Mindfulness is also a core component of Healthy Weight Solutions, an eight-week program at Water’s Edge that helps people take charge of their eating habits. Students learn to “make small changes they can breathe with,” says Kieffer.

Reality TV Continued from page 9 The visual contact is vital, Dr. Bozorgchami says, because it allows him to get ﬁrst-hand information from the patient that will help treatment. In Renno’s case, that meant being able to quickly determine the type of stroke he had sustained and administering the anti-clotting, brain-saving drug tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). The drug must be given within three hours of the onset of symptoms in order to be effective. Statewide, member hospitals of OHSU’s telemedicine network have been able to administer the drug in 30 percent of stroke cases, compared with a national average of 2 to 3 percent. It also meant that Dr. Bozorgchami was able to determine whether Renno should be transferred to OHSU for further treatment. Renno did need to be transferred, but the use of telemedicine has made it possible for 55 percent of MCMC patients who arrive with stroke symptoms to receive care locally, according to OHSU data. That means fewer unnecessary and expensive patient transfers and less time and expense for families who don’t need to travel to Portland to be with loved ones. For Clarence Renno, telestroke made all the difference. After just a three-day stay at OHSU, the retired railroad conductor was released and able to enter MCMC’s therapy program at Water’s Edge to rebuild the strength in his right side. He considers the rehab work a small price to pay for getting his life back. “This was just a miracle,” he says.

Paying attention to the breath plays a key role in cultivating mindfulness, no matter what the context, she explains. “Once we pause and take a breath, we can then reﬂect and become aware of what’s happening and choose how to respond to a situation,” she says. As people begin practicing mindfulness, they learn to get back in touch with their bodies, says Kieffer. “Basically, the body is a barometer of the mind,” she says. “We learn to listen to the body — to build conﬁdence in trusting our bodies.” “The body doesn’t lie,” she says. “The mind is very clever. And it can be a rascal. Once you start observing your mind, you can see how tricky it is. The body is simpler. If there’s tension, there’s tension. If there’s pain there’s pain. If there’s ease, you’re on the path.” and his Edright Stephenson wife, Suzi, walking their black labs, Dakota ta and Paig Paige. i e. ig

Soon after his stroke, Clarence Renno was able to begin therapy at Water’s Edge.

WellAware Summer 2013_Layout 1 6/3/13 11:00 AM Page 16

SUMMER 2013

W E L L N E S S aT WaT E R ’S E D G E

Core Health & Wellness All classes and clinics or appointments are held at Water’s Edge, 551 Lone Pine Blvd., The Dalles, unless otherwise indicated. Pre-registration or appointments required; please call 541.296.7319 to register.

Therapy Programs 541.296.7202

Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic Cardiac Rehabilitation is the next step after a heart attack or heart surgery, a diagnosis of stable chest pain or other cardiac conditions. This 10-week clinic includes supervised exercise, nutrition and education in heart health management. This clinic will help you regain strength, lessen fatigue while learning the tools to reduce cardiac risk factors. Classes are offered throughout the year and covered by most insurance plans.

Pulmonary Health Services The Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Mid-Columbia Medical Center is designed for patients with chronic respiratory disease (COPD), emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis and other chronic lung conditions. This 10-week class explores the relationship between breathing disorders and physical activity. It will guide patients in making lifestyle changes that will help them to improve their endurance and quality of life. Goals within this program include: • Decreasing shortness of breath • Improving physical conditioning and exercise tolerance • Improving emotional well being

Acupuncture Therapy Acupuncture is one discipline taken from the heritage of Chinese medicine. The technique involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points in the body which have been shown to be effective in the treatment of various conditions.

Individual Diabetes Nutrition Education

Physical Therapy Free Chronic Pain classes monthly — taught by a PT Biomechanical Bicycle Fitting — “Get fit to be fit” Golf Clinic Mobility & Seating Clinic Osteoporosis Vestibular Rehab & Balance Therapy Women’s Health Physical Therapy

Individual Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator Consultation

Occupational Therapy Hand Therapy & Upper Extremity Lymphedema Treatment & Therapy

Schedule a one on one with our registered nurse and learn about the many aspects of blood sugar management. In this visit our nurse will work with you and customize the visit to your specific concerns. Covered by most insurance plans.

Water’s Edge at Lone Pine Village

551 Lone Pine Blvd., The Dalles 16

Specialized Programs

Meet one on one with our registered dietitian, who will review your blood sugars in relationship to your nutrition. Together you will customize a healthy eating plan that will support living well with diabetes. Covered by most insurance plans.

For information or to register call 541.296.7319.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center

Our multidisciplinary approach to outpatient rehabilitation services includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and aquatic therapy.

Aquatic Therapy

Speech Therapy Dysphagia

Rehabilitation Programs Orthopedic Rehabilitation Neurological Rehabilitation With a physician’s referral, these therapies are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare. We will assist you to determine your insurance benefits.

WellAware Summer 2013_Layout 1 6/3/13 11:00 AM Page 17

W E L L N E S S R E S O U R C E S F R O M M i D - CO LU M B i a M E D i C a L C E N T E R

Workshops & Clinics Mindfulness Meditation Wednesdays, July 17 or September 11 7 to 8:30 pm Water’s Edge Meditation Room Free Mounting research is showing the health benefits of relaxation practices. In this basic class you will learn the history of mindfulness, the medical benefits and simple relaxation techniques that you can use in your personal plan of good health. You are welcome to attend one or both classes.

Living Healthy with Diabetes Day Class, 2 to 4:15 pm September 9, 16, 23 & 30 To register call 541. 296.7319 The Diabetes Self-Management Education Class is a learning experience for people who are newly diagnosed or have a history of diabetes. In this class, you will learn blood sugar monitoring, nutrition and meal planning, stress reduction, medications and much more. We encourage a support person to attend, at no additional fee. Day and evening classes are available throughout the year. The Diabetes Education program at MCMC is accredited by the American Diabetes Association.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Wednesdays, 2:30 to 4:30 pm Begins September 25, 8-week program Meditation Room $199 In this clinic our instructor will help you to explore ancient and modern evidencebased researched healing techniques. You will experience gentle meditative yoga and other natural techniques, called mindfulness relaxation practices, to help you activate your own natural healing powers. The practice allows you to attain:

• An increased ability to relax • Greater energy and enthusiasm for life • Improved self-esteem • An ability to cope more effectively with both short and long-term stressful situations • Healthy weight management

Healthy Weight Solutions Class starts in September, call 541.296.7319 for pre-assessment scheduling $199 Looking for a change? Lacking motivation? Come join us in Healthy Weight Solutions to get the boost you need to live the life you've imagined. By focusing on mindful living in all aspects of your life, including food, exercise and stress reduction, you will learn to live in harmony. In our eight-week program we will provide you with an individualized meal plan tailored to your metabolic rate as well as personal training ideas for exercise. Healthy Weight Solutions provides you with the tools to sustain a healthy life and attain your body’s ideal balance. You are welcome to bring a support person for free!

Mindfulness Breath Work Wednesday October 9 7 to 8:30 pm Free Learn simple breathing techniques that can lower blood pressure and pulse, decrease stress and anxiety, improve immune function, ease insomnia, improve digestion and speed healing time. Wear loose comfy clothing. You are welcome to attend one or more classes.

Individual Nutrition Consultation By appointment only. Some insurance plans may cover a portion or all of the visit.

Meet one on one with our registered dietitian. Research indicates nutrition • Lasting decreases in physical and plays a vital role in health and disease psychological symptoms management. Our dietitian will guide you Connect with @watersedgemcmc • Reductions in pain levels and anus on Twitter in eating healthy and feeling and your best. at facebook.com/WatersEdgeWellness to stay enhanced ability Facebook to cope with date with new classes, special offers and more! pain that may notup gotoaway

SHAPEDOWN Call for dates and times (After school) To register call 541.296.7319 SHAPEDOWN is a program that for over 30 years has gained national recognition for teaching parents and children about living a healthy lifestyle. It is geared for children ages 6 to 18 years of age. Children and teens in SHAPEDOWN enhance their self-esteem, improve peer relationships, adopt healthier habits and begin to normalize their weight within their genetic potential. Parents feel better about their parenting and about their child. The family becomes healthier and closer. The results of SHAPEDOWN go far beyond weight control.

SAVE THE DATE!

MCMC Health & Fitness Fair Saturday, Sept. 28 For more information, call 541-296-8444

WellAware Summer 2013_Layout 1 6/3/13 11:00 AM Page 18

Aerobics, Yoga & Tai Chi

YOGA

Water’s Edge Health & Wellness Center offers a medical fitness approach to achieving lasting lifestyle change and optimal wellness. We offer a comprehensive selection of group exercise classes for all fitness levels. All group classes are included with membership. Non-members are welcomed. Please call 541.506.5779 for prices. Currently we offer more than 40 group classes per week! Some class sizes are limited. Registration becomes available 7 days prior to each class. Class times and days vary. Please check the calendar at WellnessAtWatersEdge.com for up-to-date information.

Core Yoga

Healing Hatha Yoga

This is a mat-based core stabilization/ yoga blend class.

This class is tailored to the individual. Beginners welcome!

Gentle Yoga

Sunrise Yoga

An easy-does-it class perfect for beginners.

Breathe, stretch, strengthen and begin your day in a positive way. All levels.

Hatha Yoga All Levels This class incorporates props, allowing participants to receive the maximum benefit from each posture.

Vinyasa Flow Yoga Explores flexibility, strength and balance.

Health & Wellness at Water’s Edge

Now Offering 6-Month Memberships • A great option for part-time residents.* • No enrollment fee and monthly rate of only: $80/Individual; $100/Couples

Stop into Water's Edge or call today:

541.506.5779 *Enrollment in our 6-month option is available only in April through September.

ExERCISE CLASSES Les Mills BODYPUMP™

Water Aerobics

A challenging barbell workout for all your major muscle groups; this class combines great music and exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls that will shape and tone muscles.

A lower-impact water workout that will improve muscle tone and cardiovascular fitness. All levels.

Les Mills BODYFLOW™ Fusion of Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates-inspired poses that will leave you feeling strong, centered and calm.

Circuit Training Interval resistance training intended to help you build strength and improve cardiovascular fitness.

Boot Camp Ramp up your workout with a dynamic combination of plyometric drills and body and weight exercises. Intensely fun!

Group Cycle/Core This is an awesome 45-minute cardio blast workout on a stationary bike followed with 30 minutes of core specific exercises.

Group Cycle A great way to get a vigorous workout on an exercise bike! This class is taught by inspiring instructors making it fun and challenging!

Zumba Aerobic dance exercise designed to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat.

Tai Chi for Balance A great introduction to Tai Chi. Participants may sit or stand during this class.

Personal Training One-on-one sessions with a personal trainer can assist you in developing a training program and reaching personal goals. Trainers can work with your physician, physical therapist and other healthcare specialists to develop a safe program.

Performance Testing Please call 541.506.5779 to learn more about the following: Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR), VO2 Max, Lactate Threshold, Body Composition, Sub-max VO2, and Sub-max Strength Assessment. Preview our classes on YouTube at youtube.com/mcmchealth

HOURS Monday - Friday: 7:45 am - 7:30 pm Saturday: 8:30 am - 1 pm

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: • • • •

Physical Activities Hide & Seek Treasure Hunt Adventures Dehydrating Fruit Arts & Crafts

Please contact the Kid’s Club for more information on new programing for 2013 as well as Kid’s Night Out schedule. 541.506.5786

WellAware Summer 2013_Layout 1 6/3/13 11:00 AM Page 19

Skin Care Club

6 12

Our Skin Care Clubs were created to help you achieve the healthy skin you desire through individualized skin care therapies. Both pay-as-you-go plans allow you to receive fabulous discounts as you fulﬁll your commitment to caring for your skin.

Get Ready For Summer Get your skin healthy and glow this summer, schedule any facial at Water’s Edge and receive a Shade skin protection value $20. Mention this ad at the time of schedule. While supplies last.

Club Club

Treat your skin to 3 facials in 6 months and receive 50% oﬀ your 4th facial.

Wellness Retreats and Spa Packages Plan a healthy and relaxing spa day retreat for yourself, family, co-workers and friends. Contact the Spa Desk for more information. 541.506.5788 For spa menu and spa services: www.WellnessAtWatersEdge.com or call 541.506.5788

Rejuvenate your skin with 6 facials in 12 months and receive 7th facial FREE!

All Skin Care Club members will receive fun surprises with each visit. Schedule your treatment today and sign up for the Skin Care Club of your choice!

Review The Spa on Check-in on Foursquare/ Yelp for special offers

Spa Menu — Combine any two single services and receive a 10% discount excluding waxing. Gift Certificates available. MASSAGE

BATH THERAPY

Relaxation............................................ 60min/$65 90min/$90 Therapeutic ............. 60min/$75 90min/$100 120min/$135 Happy Hands/Feet/Neck/Shoulders .................... 60min/$75 Couples Massage Relaxation ..................................... 60min/$150 90min/$200 Therapeutic................................... 60min/$170 90min/$220 *Insurance billing available; additional fees may apply MASSAGE ENHANCEMENTS

Add warm stones to any massage .............................. $15 Extend massage by 15 minutes .................................... $15 Foot Therapy (reﬂexology or massage) ................15min/$15 Scalp Massage....................................................... 15min/$15 Scalp & Face Massage ......................................... 15min/$15 REFLEXOLOGY

Reﬂexology .............................................................. 60min/$65 Reﬂexology & Relaxation Combo ...................... 90min/$100 ACUPUNCTURE

Evaluation & Treatment...................................................... $85 Follow-up Treatment .......................................................... $55 *Insurance billing available; additional fees may apply HAIR REMOVAL

Eyebrows ...................... $15 Bikini............................. $35 Full Face........................ $50 Full Leg ......................... $60 Brazilian ....................... $85

Lip or Chin .................... $10 Underarm..................... $35 1/2 Leg.......................... $35 Full Leg w/Bikini......... $85 Back..................... $35 & up

Botanical Mineral Bath Therapy (choose from:) Heublumen — German wildflower known for pain, joint and muscle relief and relaxation. Highly recommended for balancing women’s hormones Eucalyptus — Detox, joint and muscle pain relief, respiratory relief Kamille (Chamomile) — Detox, joint and muscle pain relief, anti-inflammatory, deepest relaxation Unscented — Thermal Mineral Bath

Oriental Bath Therapy (choose from:) Stress Relieving Formula Total Body Detox Formula Muscle & Joint Therapeutic Formula

Bath & Mini-Reﬂexology...................................................$45 Bath & Essential Facial ....................................................$105 Bath & Relaxation Massage .......90min/$99 120min/$120 Bath & Therapeutic Massage...90min/$109 120min/$130 BODY TREATMENTS

RainHydro Therapy Treatment - Essential........... 45min/$75 RainHydro Therapy - Therapeutic ...................... 75min/$110 FACIAL RESURFACING TREATMENTS

Dermal Infusion ................................... $95 series of ﬁve/$400 Microdermabrasion................................ $95 series of six/$485 RESURFACING ENHANCEMENTS

Add an Essential Facial ................................................... $50 Skin Care Analysis ................................................................$15

SKIN CARE AND FACIALS

Cell Actif Plus Professional Facial Treatment............$125 Essential Facial ......................................................................$75 Treatment Focused ..............................................................$85 Men’s Facial...............................................................................$75 Teen Facial .......................... ..................................................$45 Back Facial ........................... ..................................................$95 Make-up Application & Lesson ......................................... $50 $25 applied to make-up purchase FACIAL ENHANCEMENTS

Eye and Lip Hydrating Collagen Treatment ................$15 Foot and/or Hand Therapy ..............................15 mins /$15 Head Therapy........................................................15 mins /$15 Eyebrow Wax.........................................................................$15 Eyebrow Tint ..........................................................................$20 Eyelash Tint ...........................................................................$ 25 TREATMENT PACKAGES

Head-to-Toe Spa Therapy .................................. 2 hours/$170 Scalp Massage / Foot Therapy / Botanical Mineral Bath Therapy / Massage

Head-to-Toe Sun & Rain Hydrotherapy ..... 2.25 hours/$190 Rain Hydrotherapy / Head & Foot Therapy / Massage

Renew Total Body Skin Care ......................... 1.75 hours/$170 Essential Facial / Botanical Mineral Bath Therapy / Rain Hydrotherapy

Relax & Renew................................................ 2.75 hours/$250 Essential Facial / Botanical Mineral Bath Therapy / Massage

Rejuvenate ........................................................ 2.5 hours/$200 Facial Peel or Microdermabrasion / Essential Facial / Massage / Products

Revitalize......................................................... 2.75 hours/$295 Treatment Focused Facial / Rain Hydrotherapy Body Exfoliation Relaxation Massage / Lip & Eye Collagen Treatment / Products

WellAware Summer 2013_Layout 1 6/3/13 11:00 AM Page 20

NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage

CURRENT RESIDENT

PA I D MID-COLUMBIA MEDICAL CENTER Permit #161

1700 E. 19th St., The Dalles, OR 97058

Stay Connected Wit With Us Keep track of what’s happening at MCMC between Well Aware issues by following us on your favorite epag ge a social media sites. Visit our homepage att mcmc.net ur soc cia networks. etw to access the quick links to all our social

MCMC Scores High For Patient Safety

Celilo and Breast Care Center Again Earn Elite Accreditations

“Consumer Reports” recently released its Safety Ratings for America’s hospitals and Mid-Columbia Medical Center measures up extremely well with peer in Oregon and nationally.

Once again, MCMC’s Celilo Cancer Center has received the highest possible rating from the independent organization that surveys and evaluates cancer centers nationwide, The Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons.

The magazine gives hospitals a rating based on patient safety, patient experience, outcomes and certain hospital practices. MCMC’s score of 64 (out of 100) was just 10 points below the highest score awarded and 50 above the lowest.

Celilo was awarded the coveted Accreditation with Commendation status, which indicates the center exceeded the CoC’s 36 standards of care and reporting, plus an additional nine measurements.

That puts MCMC among the best-performing U.S. hospitals and higher than any participating Portland hospital. Congratulations to the entire MCMC team for its outstanding commitment to ensuring the best and safest possible experience for our patients.

Commendation status is given to a minority of cancer centers. This level of approval by the nation's leading organization dedicated to improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients validates years of work by MCMC administration and Celilo staff to create a truly unique, regional cancer center. In addition to Celilo’s accreditation, MCMC’s unique Center for Breast Care also has been reaccredited by the National Association for Program for Breast Centers. In 2009, MCMC earned the distinction of having the ﬁrst accredited breast care center in Oregon. Today it is one of only six accredited centers in the state.