My Boone Health – Spring 2024

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Board of Directors

CHAIR

Jerry Kennett, MD

VICE CHAIR

Bob McDavid, MD

SECRETARY

Jan Beckett

TREASURER

William “Barry” Orscheln

MEMBER

Judy Starr

Charles P. Bondurant, MD, FABNS, FACS

Dianne M. Lynch, Ph.D.

Randy Morrow

Control your reflux for good.

Stacye Smith

Mary Beck

Gary W. Thompson, MBA

Start enjoying all the foods and activities you’ve missed since severe heartburn took over. Dr. Gerber’s revolutionary surgery using the Linx device can help, and it nearly eliminates the odds of recurrence.

Time for a Spring Screening

As we emerge from the winter doldrums, it becomes easier to do the activities that support our well-being like exercising outdoors, enjoying in-season produce, or spending time with friends and family. Spring offers an opportunity to check in on our goals for the year and see what we can do next to reach them, including our health and wellness goals.

If you haven’t yet scheduled an annual physical with a primary care provider, make it part of your springtime renewal. An annual exam and labs can give you and your primary care provider a picture of your current health and help develop plans if further diagnostics are warranted.

I believe preventive health care and early intervention are the most effective and affordable kinds of health care. Detecting a condition in its early stages makes it easier to treat. Screening tests like mammograms, colonoscopies, cardiac calcium scoring tests, skin cancer screenings, and more are essential for preventive health care.

“Screening tests are specifically for people who are NOT experiencing any symptoms,” explains Aaron Whiting, MD, physician at Boone Health Primary Care in Boonville.

Your need for a screening can depend on your age, family history, medical history, or other factors. Dr Whiting says, “Screening test frequency is carefully chosen for each disease, to optimize chances of early detection and disease treatment.”

If you’re putting off a recommended screening because you’re anxious about the results, getting it done is the best way to find peace of mind, even and especially if they find something.

According to Dr. Whiting, “Good screening tests can detect diseases or cancers early in their course at a time before you can feel them, when they are more easily treated. For example, it’s quite common for colonoscopies to detect polyps that have the potential to turn into cancer or even to find full cancerous masses, before any symptoms exist. At this

early stage they are often fully treatable. If left undetected, by the time symptoms exist the disease may be advanced and require treatments that are more aggressive, with more side effects and a lower chance of success.”

In addition to screenings, an annual visit helps your doctor know if you need diagnostic tests to see if new or increasing symptoms like pain, unexpected weight loss, or bleeding are symptoms of a health condition. Again, the best way to know if you should worry or not is preventive health care.

If you don’t know how or where to get started with recommended screenings, your primary care provider’s office can usually help.

“We often assist patients who may have difficulty scheduling testing on their own,” says Holly Forbis, primary care practice manager at Boonville. “This can involve navigating online scheduling systems, providing contact information for testing facilities, or offering to make the appointment on their behalf.”

And don’t forget to schedule your annual eye and dental exams. Your optometrist or dentist can also detect changes or problems that may be symptoms of a serious health condition.

Think of annual preventive care as spring cleaning for your health. Spring cleaning helps us remove clutter, get fresh air and sunlight, and feel more comfortable at home. Preventive health care, including annual exams and recommended screenings, can help us remove uncertainty, get necessary treatments, and feel more comfortable in our bodies. Make progress on your 2024 health and wellness goals with a spring screening!

Brady Dubois CEO, Boone Health

If you’re putting off a recommended screening because you’re anxious about the results, getting it done is the best way to find peace of mind, even and especially if they find something.

Mary Beck Joins the Boone Health Board of Directors

Mary Beck, DNP, RN, FAONL, has joined the Boone Health Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is comprised of the Boone Hospital Board of Trustees and six community members. Dr. Beck is replacing Judy Starr who transitioned to the Boone Health Board of Trustees when Greg Steinhoff stepped down.

Dr. Beck began her career as a staff nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. She has held positions as Director of Patient Care and the Vice President of Patient Care Services at Boone Hospital Center, and Chief Nursing Office at University of Missouri Health Care. Dr. Beck has served as adjunct faculty at the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College and the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing and is a Fellow with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Dr. Beck is also a member of the Columbia College Board of Trustees and the UMC-Sinclair School of Nursing Alumni Organization Board.

“It’s wonderful to have Dr. Beck back at Boone Health,” says Jerry Kennett, MD, Chair of the Boone Health Board of Trustees. “Not only does Dr. Beck bring a familiarity and historical knowledge of Boone, but an incredible amount of experience in nursing leadership and hospital administration from other organizations.”

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Boone Health Board of Directors,” says Dr. Beck. “I will be joining some remarkable individuals, and I look forward to working with them to help Boone Health continue in its mission to improve the health of mid-Missouri.”

Rhonda Parton To Retire From Boone Health

After nearly 42 years of service, Rhonda Parton has announced her retirement from Boone Health.

Rhonda started her career at Boone in 1982 as a Senior Accounting Clerk. She has held Director positions in many departments including Revenue Cycle, Imaging Services, Ancillary Services, Laboratory, GI Lab and Cardiac Diagnostic Services. She was the Executive Director of Operations for 13 years and currently serves as the Executive Director of Provider and Ambulatory Services.

Throughout her tenure, Rhonda had the opportunity to work on many highlevel initiatives in different areas of the hospital – none more impactful than what she was challenged with in the last four years. Rhonda served in a lead role for Boone’s transition from BJC Health Care to independence. This move impacted every operation and process of the health system

and a successful transition leader required intimate knowledge of all aspects of Boone, making this a perfect role for Rhonda.

“I never saw myself staying at one place for my entire career,” says Rhonda. “But there is something magical about Boone Health and the people that work here. They become your family. I have so much gratitude for everyone that has believed in me, trusted me, shown me such kindness, patience, support, encouragement and inspiration. Thank you for making me a better person and inspiring me to be my best. There is no place like Boone!”

In retirement, Rhonda looks forward to spending more time with family and friends, traveling and checking some items off her diverse bucket list.

The Boone family thanks Rhonda for her many years of service and leadership and wishes her a happy and healthy retirement.

Forbes Names Boone Hospital Center in List of America’s Best Midsize Employers

Forbes has recognized Boone Hospital Center among America’s Best Midsize Employers in its latest ranking.

This annual assessment, conducted in collaboration with market research firm Statista, involved gathering feedback from over 170,000 workers across the United States. Companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees were categorized as midsize employers, while those with over 5,000 employees were classified as large. Respondents were asked to evaluate their employers and indicate whether they would recommend them to others.

Feedback was collected from current employees, former employees who had left within the past two years, as well as individuals acquainted with the company through their network. Emphasizing recent experiences, the methodology also incorporated data from the previous three years, with more weight given to newer responses to ensure consistency over time.

Scores were calculated based on the aggregated responses, ultimately leading to the selection of the top 600 organizations as America’s Best Employers for 2024. Boone Hospital Center was ranked 46th.

Boone Health Food & Nutrition Services Recognized for Culinary Excellence

Congratulations to the Boone Health Food & Nutrition Services department for receiving Morrison Healthcare’s Region Culinary Excellence Aware for 2023.

This award reflects and recognizes this team’s dedication and hard work in providing excellent quality food for retail and patient services. Boone Health was chosen among 89 other hospitals within Morrison Healthcare. The Food & Nutrition Services team received an award, banner and $250 for a team celebration.

Julie Winters, Director of Food & Nutrition Services says, “Our new menu items, menu concept stations and special limited-time offers in the cafeteria and café, plus the introduction of new patient desserts, breakfast specials and a summer salad series in patient services are the outcome of our teams commitment to innovation and enhancing food quality and service. Receiving this award is a well-deserved acknowledgment of the team’s efforts.”

Surgical Milestone

Congratulations to Steven Dresner, MD, with Urology Associates for completing his 750th successful robotic prostatectomy at Boone Hospital Center on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Boone Health Surgical Services celebrated this monumental achievement following the procedure.

Dr. Dresner was instrumental in Boone’s adoption of the da Vinci robotic system in 2008, offering greater surgical precision with faster recovery time for prostate cancer patients across mid-Missouri. His skill and dedication have resulted in optimal outcomes for his patients. Treating an average of 50 patients a year (above the national average), Dr. Dresner had completed his 500th surgery in 2019.

OF A WOMAN

Until the mid-1980s, little attention was given to studying heart attacks among the female population. Middleage and older men have them, right? Not 42-year-old women.

That’s how old Jayme Prenger was when she suffered what’s referred to as the “widowmaker,” on August 13, 2022. Even that terminology is indicative of a male bias. The widowmaker occurs when the left anterior descending artery – the one that provides 50% of the blood supply to the heart muscle – is 100% blocked.

There were signs, but Jayme’s weren’t the severe chest pain, sweating, and shortness

of breath common in men. Brandi ZeyThacker, Jayme’s nurse practitioner with Boone Health Primary Care in Boonville, says that symptoms in women tend to be unusual fatigue, indigestion-type pain, nausea, and pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders, arms, and upper back.

For two weeks prior to the attack, Jayme attributed her symptoms to workrelated stress.

“I just thought that I was having indigestion, maybe an ulcer, and pain in my armpit area and hands because of the stress. And as a woman, I thought: ‘I don’t have time to deal with this.’”

“Women are natural caregivers, so they tend to ignore their symptoms and care for others before themselves,” Brandi explains. “Annual exams are so important and follow up even more so. You need to know your numbers. Blood pressure, heart rate, BMI, A1C, and cholesterol are all important numbers that need to be monitored regularly.”

Jayme and husband, Kyle, spent a weekend in Branson and Silver Dollar City with family. They even hiked several miles in the Arkansas peak area. Jayme admitted to getting a little short of breath but assumed that’s because she needed more exercise.

A couple of days later, Jayme drove to Osage County to pick up Kyle’s kids from their grandparents. She once again felt indigestion-like discomfort in the middle of her chest, pain in her armpits and down her leg, and numbness in her hands.

“As I’m experiencing these things, I’m thinking I’m overweight. I’m out of shape – you know all the things I’m chalking it up to,” Jayme says. “But I’m driving on Highway 50 and I’m talking to myself saying, ‘Is this a heart attack?’”

But Jayme talked herself out of it. She had told Kyle about her symptoms over the past two weeks but didn’t talk to Brandi or anyone else about them.

“Anytime that you have some type of symptoms you don’t usually have that stick around or don’t improve, you should be evaluated,” Brandi says.

That Friday night, Jayme felt exhausted and confused. Later, her chest

pain became so severe that she started taking antacids. “Chest pain,” Brandi says, “is a classic sign of a heart attack, but not always the case in women.”

Unable to get comfortable or sleep, Jayme went to her home office and worked through the night, still consuming antacids. She felt better when she walked Kyle out as he left for work at 6:30 a.m. that Saturday morning.

Around 7:15 a.m., Jayme felt dizzy and nauseous as she washed her hands in the bathroom. She vomited, then sat on the floor, unable to get up. Her phone was in her office. Her stepkids were down the hall, sleeping in. Jayme called out for Aidan, Kyle’s 16-year-old, to get her to urgent care.

Aidan helped Jayme to her car and got Kyle on the phone. But as they merged onto I-70, Jayme’s entire body hurt. Her brain wouldn’t work. Her speech slurred.

Jayme and her step-son Aidan who drove her to the hospital.

Photo on left page; from left to right: Jayme and her husband Kyle with their blended family: Alyssa, Oliver, Kyle, Jayme, Braden, Helena and Aidan. She felt herself sliding down in the back seat. She heard Aidan panicking while talking to Kyle who was now yelling because Jayme was no longer answering him.

“It was just so scary,” Jayme says, beginning to cry. “I was just thinking about all these things, and watching it happen outside of my body. And you can’t do anything to change it. You think, ‘What am I going to do?

I have a family. I just got married. All these things in my life are supposed to be ahead of me.’”

Upon arrival at Boone’s emergency room, Jayme told Aidan to run in and tell them she was having a heart attack. That stopped Aidan in his tracks. “You are?”, he said. Aidan ran inside and quickly came out with a nurse who took Jayme into the hospital in a wheelchair.

Cardiology specialist Trung Tran, MD, took Jayme to the cardiac catheterization lab and threaded a stent through her groin, saving her life.

These days, Jayme is exercising more, eating healthier, and getting coaching to help her manage stress. She’s also telling her cautionary tale to other women who believe they’re too young to suffer a heart attack. In fact, she was nominated for Missouri’s Women of Impact for the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women event for which she’s raising funds.

“It’s so important to see your doctor regularly,” Jayme says. “You’ve got to listen to your body. And if your gut says, ‘Gosh, this could be something,’ then just go to the doctor. Don’t think that it can’t happen to you.” By Michelle Terhune

SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS

Future Nurses

Monica Collins, Foundation Director with Caprice Leighton and Elly Krueger.

A Boone Hospital Foundation scholarship supports future Boone Health nurses.

The Boone Hospital Foundation

Boone Health Nursing Scholarship’s goal is to help current Boone Health employees achieve their goal of becoming a nurse. Those chosen are eligible for awards up to $5,000 toward tuition and fees.

Criteria for receiving the award includes a commitment to working at Boone Health for 2 years upon graduation in a full-time RN position. Two scholarships were given this year – one to Caprice Leighton and one to Elly Krueger. Both recipients say the scholarship has been life-changing.

Boone Health phlebotomist Caprice Leighton has worked in healthcare for

more than 32 years. Now, thanks to a scholarship provided by the Boone Hospital Foundation, Caprice is one step closer to her degree in nursing.

Caprice began her career in healthcare working in administration, education, quality risk management, and medical staff credentialing. She decided to pursue more direct patient care when her youngest child went to college. She is now a phlebotomist, patient care tech, and unit secretary for the Boone Health Emergency Department.

“I am so grateful that I am there to provide blood draws or patient care assistance to those who are ill. I have

the opportunity to give quality care and provide the healing touches patients need to heal,” says Caprice.

Caprice recently began nursing school, but her interest started in 1991 when her second daughter was born.

“I knew that there would be a nursing shortage, and I felt that I could provide excellent care, especially with the elderly. My grandmother taught me at a young age to watch after my family, friends, and neighbors when they are in need. A few years ago, before the pandemic, I decided I would be a nurse for my final career. There just simply isn’t enough nursing staff

anywhere. As a patient myself many times over the years, I want to be one of the nurses that makes a difference in health care,” says Caprice.

Caprice enrolled in the Moberly Area Community College weekend program while continuing to work full-time at Boone. One day, one of Caprice’s mentors told her the Boone Hospital Foundation was offering a scholarship to Boone Health employees looking to become nurses.

“My husband had just had his left kidney removed as a cancerous tumor. My family had taken a direct hit with finances, and I hadn’t received any other scholarships for nursing school,” says Caprice.

Caprice says the application was very straightforward and easy to submit. Not long later she received an email that she was selected as a recipient.

“At first, I just stared at my computer screen. Then I jumped up and down screaming. I added up how many hours and extra shifts I would have had to pick up for that amount of money. I am so blessed and grateful!” says Caprice.

Caprice is working hard on her degree and looks forward to being a nurse at Boone Health once she graduates.

“I hope to work in the Emergency Department or Cardiology and possibly with Risk Management and Quality Assurance,” says Caprice.

Elly Krueger, BSN, RN is currently a Boone Health nurse that just began her career as a Graduate Nurse on the Surgical Specialties floor. She says she loves working at Boone Health and being a nurse.

“Although I have not previously worked in healthcare prior to becoming a nurse, I feel like I have learned so much in such a short time. My preceptors and peers have been welcoming, approachable, and eager to help me be successful. The team approach at Boone has really enforced that we aren’t just here to take care of patients and families, but also each other,” says Elly.

Elly’s recent degree did leave her with some student loans, and she was thrilled when she heard that the Boone Hospital Foundation was offering scholarships to support future nurses. She was even more thrilled when she found out that she was chosen as a recipient.

“This scholarship went a long way in helping me to pay for my recent college

education, and for that I am extremely grateful,” says Elly.

Elly says she plans to have a long career at Boone Health.

“My career goals include caring for the people of the communities Boone health services, while learning as much as I can to function at my highest potential. I want to be an asset to Boone Health, to both patients/families and my peers. Beyond my immediate future nursing career, I do not know where this industry will take me, but I am excited to find out. It’s exciting that Boone offers a lot of spaces to grow my career, and I look forward to each opportunity,” says Elly.

Boone Hospital Foundation Director Monica Collins says these scholarships align perfectly with the foundation.

“The Foundation’s mission is to support Boone Health in its mission of improving the health of the people and the communities we serve. One of the obvious ways we do this is to help ensure that the

best, most-prepared caregivers are in place for patients to have the best possible care. By ‘growing our own,’ we can further this goal,” says Monica.

And she says she loves that her donors can know what an impact their dollars are making.

“Donors invest in the Foundation because they know our goal is to help achieve positive outcomes for Boone patients and those who live in our service area. This scholarship is an investment in Boone’s future and in quality healthcare for our community,” says Monica.

The Foundation relies on gifts and donations to help initiatives like the Boone Nursing Scholarship. For information on how to give to the Boone Hospital Foundation, contact Monica Collins at 573.815.2801 or monica.collins@ boone.health.

By Madison Loethen

Managing Sisterhood

Two members of the Boone Health family discover a deeper connection.

There’s a saying that “Sisters are different flowers from the same garden.” But if you can’t see other flowers in the garden for the weeds, you’ll have to start pulling.

Just ask Brandi Chick and Holly Wheatley. Brandi has two half-brothers, but she had been trying to find out about her biological father throughout her adult life. Supporting that wish, Brandi’s husband gave her a DNA genetic test kit from 23andMe for Christmas in 2019. She followed the instructions and sent off her saliva for testing.

Meanwhile, a younger woman was also searching for family, looking for information about her medical history. She, too, submitted a test to 23andMe and found a match with Brandi who, it seems, shared the same father. But they still didn’t know who that father was.

Brandi Chick and Holly Wheatley

Brandi’s newly discovered sister had a half-sister, not related to any other sisters in this story, who was an avid family history researcher. Brandi took a second DNA test, this one through Ancestry.com. Digging deeper, the unrelated sister discovered a family with the surname “Woodward.” They traced the family from the great-grandparents to the grandparents and determined their father was one of two brothers. They were closing in.

Brandi and her newly found sister started messaging promising Woodwards via Facebook in 2020.

“It was kind of a fluke because we weren’t certain,” Brandi says. “We were just throwing it out there to see if any of them knew about us.”

Then, there’s Holly, who grew up with three sisters. One shares the same mom and dad, and the other two are half-sisters. All four have the same dad. They are Woodwards, which made them messaging targets for Brandi and her younger sister.

“On a random Saturday afternoon, I get a Facebook message from the two of them saying, ‘Hey, we think we’re your sisters.’ And they narrowed it down to either my father or his brother. They asked if I would be willing to do the 23andMe to confirm. I did it and confirmed that we are sisters,” Holly says.

In case you have lost count, that’s six Woodward sisters. But Brandi and Holly finding one another isn’t just one of those small-world stories. All six, it seems, grew up in the mid-Missouri area. The youngest sister, who Brandi first connected with, grew up next door to her dad’s brother and went to school with kids she didn’t know were her cousins.

“How none of us sisters ever crossed paths growing up or as adults is amazing,” Brandi says.

What makes that fact remarkable is that Brandi and Holly share more than just a biological father. They share Boone Health in an extremely similar way.

"All I wanted my whole life was to have that sister that I could talk to, relate with, spend time with. And now, in my 40s, I finally have that person."

Brandi is the practice manager for Boone Health Primary Care-Broadway and Holly is the practice manager for Boone Health Medical Group Specialties.

“The thing that I keep honing in on is that Brandi has been a practice manager at Boone for years,” Holly says. “All these years, we’re in the same profession. We’re sisters. And we never knew each other existed.”

Keep in mind that Brandi was searching for family. But Holly wasn’t even aware that she needed to.

“I remember standing in the middle of the kitchen, staring at my phone, trying to process this,” Holly says. “And I tell my husband, ‘I just got this message. Are you kidding?’ I remember talking to my other sisters and they were not as accepting in the beginning. But I was always on board. I have always been one who wants to know about family history. I didn’t think twice about it. I was excited.”

“I have been trying to find my paternal side for my entire life,” Brandi says. “I’ve been wrapped up in this since I was 18. So, I would tell everyone to do it. Absolutely do it. Aside from having my children,

it was the best thing I think that’s ever happened to me.”

Maybe it’s because their youngest kids started hanging out together as soon as they found out they were cousins, and their families gather for family game nights. Maybe it’s that they share a profession and work for the same healthcare provider or that they live only miles apart. Maybe it’s that Holly has introduced Brandi to the Woodward family and reconnected with them herself. Maybe it’s because they have talked to each other nearly every day since they found out they’re sisters. Whatever the reasons, Brandi and Holly have established an incredibly tight bond, even though Holly has always had other sisters.

“All I wanted my whole life was to have that sister that I could talk to, relate with, spend time with. And now, in my 40s, I finally have that person,” Holly says.

So, there’s a garden with six different flowers growing in it. Now that the weeds have been cleared, they can finally see each other. But two, it would seem, are rooted more closely than either could have imagined. By Michelle Terhune

A Skill That Can SAVE LIVES

The vital importance of learning CPR.

In the realm of emergency response, few skills are as universally crucial as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, or CPR. CPR serves as a beacon of hope in dire situations when a person’s heart ceases to beat or their breathing stops. The ability to administer CPR can mean the difference between life and death and can empower individuals to act decisively during an emergency, making it a skill that everyone should prioritize learning. Need more reasons? Read on!

Immediate response to cardiac arrest

The primary purpose of CPR is to provide immediate assistance during cardiac arrest, a medical emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating. In these critical moments, every passing second is vital. The prompt initiation of CPR can maintain blood circulation and oxygen flow, preventing irreparable damage to vital organs.

Increased chances of survival

Studies consistently demonstrate that immediate bystander CPR significantly improves survival rates for people experiencing cardiac arrest. Swift administration of CPR serves as a bridge until professional medical help arrives, increasing the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Community resilience and preparedness

CPR training contributes to the overall resilience and preparedness of both individuals and communities. Bystanders with CPR skills become valuable assets during emergencies, capable of providing immediate assistance until emergency medical services arrive.

Protection of Brain Function

By sustaining blood circulation, CPR also protects the brain from potential damage. Brain cells can start to die within minutes of a cardiac arrest. The immediate application of CPR is critical to minimize the risk of long-term neurological consequences.

Accessible and empowering

Anyone, regardless of age or background, can learn CPR. This accessible knowledge can empower people to take an active role in emergency situations and foster confidence and community responsibility.

Legal protections and workplace requirements

There’s no risk in trying to save a person’s life through CPR. In many jurisdictions, legal protections exist for individuals who provide CPR in good faith during emergencies. Certain professions and workplaces mandate CPR certification as a requirement for employees. Employees with CPR skills can contribute to a safer working environment.

Public health impact

A population well-versed in CPR builds a healthier and safer community. Widespread CPR knowledge increases potential for a quicker, more effective response to emergencies anytime and anywhere, ultimately reducing the overall impact of cardiac arrest.

Learning CPR is not just a skill; it’s a societal imperative. The ability to administer CPR embodies the essence of community care and preparedness, enabling individuals to be active participants in emergency response. Life is unpredictable but acquiring CPR skills gives all of us a tangible way to make a difference, provide hope, and save a life when it matters most. By embracing the importance of CPR, we collectively contribute to a safer, more resilient world where every individual has the power to be a life-saving hero.

By Jenny L. Workman

Sharing is Caring

Boone Health partners with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri to provide “Share Boxes” for patients indicating food insecurity.

All Boone Health inpatients

indicating food insecurity are now offered a box of food called a “Share Box” to bring home with them, thanks to a new partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri.

The Boone Health Disparities Team meets regularly to discuss reducing healthcare disparities for the hospital’s patients, something that is also a Joint Commission requirement. The group

assessed six potential Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) from January -July 2023. Food insecurity was identified as a leading disparity.

“Our committee developed a subgroup to identify resources to support food insecurity. As the subgroup continued to meet and have discussions, a partnership with the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri emerged as a good fit for both parties to help meet

their missions and serve people in the community with identified food insecurity needs,” says committee member Clinical Nutrition and Diabetes Manager Janet Kimmons.

The group worked with the Food Bank to come up with a program.

“We looked at what some other hospitals are doing to help solve food insecurity with their patients and began to develop our own program. Upon

Janet Kimmons and April Bernhardt

admittance to the hospital, a patient indicates if they are experiencing food insecurity. They are then provided with a voucher for a Share Box upon discharge,” says committee member Social Work and Case Management Manager April Bernhardt.

A Share Box is a box of nonperishable food items as well as information about community resources for longer-term food insecurity assistance. The Share Boxes are made by the Food Bank. Boone Health’s “Meet The Mission” community outreach committee got a group together and went to the Food Bank to assist in packing the boxes.

“We’ve had a great response from patients who have received the Share Boxes. They have been very grateful and encouraged by it,” says April.

The committee’s next steps are to provide “Share Backpacks” to the unhoused patients experiencing food insecurity.

“The Share Box items do require a kitchen to prep most of the food so we are working with the Food Bank right now to also have Share Backpacks to give to our unhoused patients indicating food insecurity. These would have items that do not require a kitchen to prep and also information about additional community resources for the unhoused,” says April.

The “Meet the Mission” committee also plans to continue to have volunteer events for the Food Bank and in the community.

Another disparity found by the Boone Health Disparities Team was medication insecurity. The team currently works with the Boone Hospital Foundation to address that disparity.

“We have an ongoing program with the Boone Hospital Foundation where the foundation will cover the initial cost of patients experiencing medication insecurity when the medications are ordered through the Boone Plaza Pharmacy,” says April.

The Boone Hospital Foundation is donation-driven and funds go directly to patient care and staff education. Donations can be made by calling 573.815.2801. By Madison Loethen

Boone Health employees making Share Boxes at the Food Bank.

Implant Allowing Peaceful Slumber

The InterStim™ system allows Shannon to finally have freedom from her bladder.

Shannon Atkins has never felt more rested, and it’s thanks to an implant that helps her control her bladder.

“Before getting this device, I was waking up to go to the bathroom all night long. I couldn’t get any sleep at all,” says Shannon.

Shannon received Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim™ system. It is a small, implantable device that targets the sacral

nerves that control your bladder or bowel. It is an option for patients who have tried other treatments and behavioral therapies first, but they have not worked.

Shannon began working with her primary care doctor to control her bladder concerns a few years ago.

“There was one night I was up 12 times in 3 hours to use the bathroom. It was miserable,” says Shannon.

She tried medication but was unhappy with the results and side effects. She then went to Michael Cupp, MD at Urology Associates of Central Missouri.

Dr. Cupp and Shannon discussed her options, and she first tried different oral medications and then injections. Neither provided her the relief she was looking for. Then Dr. Cupp told Shannon about the InterStim™ system.

“With the InterStim™ system, our focus is on empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health. We provide the opportunity to experience InterStim therapy during a trial period before committing to surgical implantation of the device. Together, we assess the results and collaboratively determine the next steps. It’s not merely about symptom management; it’s about seizing control of your well-being, one step at a time,” says Dr. Cupp.

InterStim™ therapy has been around more than 27 years. It is minimally invasive and used by more than 375,000 patients worldwide. It can be used to treat both urinary and fecal incontinence and urinary retention. The therapy is reported to significantly improve quality of life, and it still allows patients to get full-body MRI scans if they so need.

The therapy has patients first go through a trial period before getting the device to see how it works for them. At a doctor’s office or outpatient center, a thin wire is

inserted in the upper part of the buttock. It then delivers electrical messages to the sacral nerves which modify abnormal reflexes to the sacral and pelvic nerves that supply the bladder and pelvic floor. The lead attaches to a small external device that can be worn discreetly under clothes. The patient is given a programmer that resembles a smartphone. Symptoms are tracked and if improvement is shown, the patient is scheduled for surgery to receive the permanent device.

“I showed a lot of improvement, and we scheduled my procedure at Boone Hospital Center,” says Shannon.

For the permanent procedure, a pacemaker device is placed in the buttocks and so no external device has to be connected to the wires providing the electrical stimulation. Patients can use their Smart Programmer smartphone-like device to manage and adjust their therapy as needed.

“The procedure went great for me and immediately made such a difference. Now I’m not having to stop constantly and go to the bathroom at night, and I am finally able to sleep,” says Shannon.

Shannon is enjoying her new energy by going to the gym, spending time with friends, and going fishing.

“It’s a whole new world with this device. I tell everyone about it who says they have that kind of trouble,” says Shannon. By Madison Loethen

Mary Roberts, PA-C

Michael Cupp, MD

TICK SEASON Getting Children Through

BY JANIE JACOBS, MD

Missouri is one of five states accounting for over 60% of the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, or RMSF, cases in the US.1 It’s one of four states accounting for over 50% of ehrlichiosis cases.2 Other tickborne diseases, such as Lyme disease, can affect children, but RMSF and ehrlichiosis are the only two that children are at risk of acquiring in Missouri.

Tickborne illnesses vary by location because of the geographic distribution of the species of ticks and other organisms that transmit disease, also known as vectors. RMSF and ehrlichiosis are caused by bacteria which are transmitted to humans through tick bites. In Missouri, the principle vector for RMSF is the American dog tick, and the lone star tick for ehrlichiosis.

The symptoms of these two tickborne infections are similar. Fever is always present in children. Other symptoms may vary but can include:

• Body aches

• Headache

• Chills

• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Non-itchy rash starting around the wrists and ankles several days after a fever starts — this may not develop in every case

As a parent, you can imagine that it would be difficult to distinguish an early tickborne infection with very common viral syndromes of childhood. Every spring at Tiger Pediatrics, we do a tickborne illness refresher with our nurses who triage phone calls because this distinction can be tricky, and the stakes are high. If RMSF or ehrlichiosis progresses without treatment, symptoms become more severe and can include neurological changes, damage to organs and critical illness.

If your child is having some of these symptoms during tick season,

it’s not safe to assume they don’t have a tickborne illness because there’s no sign or known incident of a tick bite. The majority of people with confirmed cases of RMSF and ehrlichiosis have no known history of a bite. Ticks can attach, transmit infection, and detach without us knowing.

The time between a tick bite transmitting one of these infections to a child and the onset of symptoms ranges from 3 to 14 days. As a clinician, when I see a child in late spring or summer who has a persistent fever lasting several days without associated symptoms, like a prominent cough or runny nose that suggest a more common cause of fever, I’m interested in what exposures that child has had in the past 3 to 14 days. Risk factors for tick bites include spending time outdoors in wooded or grassy areas or near brush, or frequent contact with a dog or cat.

If your pediatrician suspects your child has a tickborne illness, it’s important to get blood tests to look for early clues and test for the organisms; however, lab results can be normal in the early stages. Because timely confirmation of disease with lab tests is rarely possible, if clinical suspicion is high, we often prescribe the antibiotic doxycycline rather than risk letting an infection progress to a critical state. The antibiotic should be continued for at least 3 days after the fever resolves, generally resulting in a 7- to 14-day course of doxycycline.

The best way to prevent tick bites is by using repellents. DEET products are safe for children as young as 2 months old. Checking for ticks after being outdoors also plays a significant role in preventing infection. It takes 4 to 6 hours of a tick

Sources: 1. CDC, Division of Vector-Borne Diseases (https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dvbd/media/rmsf.html)

being attached to the skin to transmit the bacteria that causes RMSF and about 24 hours to transmit ehrlichia.

The best way to remove a tick is to use tweezers with a grasp close to the skin. A common concern I hear from parents is when the tick’s head is left in the child’s skin after they remove the body. If this happens, wash the area with warm soapy water, but don’t fret if the head remains embedded. It will work its way out. The tick’s head is not what harbors infection; the body is.

Avoid trying to remove a tick using methods like applying nail polish or heat from a hair dryer. These methods actually increase the risk of transmission because they stimulate the tick to move its secretions, along with any bacteria the tick is harboring, into the bloodstream while it’s attached.

The CDC’s Tick Bite Bot is a helpful online tool for parents concerned about tick bites and symptoms of tickborne illness. This site also provides information for specific geographical areas where other tickborne diseases, like Lyme disease, are more common: https://www.cdc.gov/ ticks/modules/tickbite-bot-removal. html

Dr. Janie Jacobs is a pediatrician at Tiger Pediatrics. She is accepting new patients at the Columbia - Keene Street location.

| 2. CDC, Tickborne Diseases of the United States (https://www.cdc.gov/ticks/tickbornediseases/ehrlichiosis.html)

Maxwell Lazinger, M.D., FABR

Vascular and Interventional Radiology; Diagnostic Radiology, Boone Health Radiology

Igrew up in Lakewood, Nj – “down the Shore” – then lived in Boston for most of my education. I graduated Brandeis University with Honors in Biology and Research, then Tufts University Medical School before completing electives in plastic surgery at Stanford, hepatobiliary surgery at Emory, and trauma Surgery at University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. During my surgical training at Georgetown University, I developed a strong interest in the field of interventional radiology and endovascular treatments. I returned to Boston to train in radiology and interventional radiology at the Lahey Clinic, then back to Miami for an endovascular fellowship at the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute. My parents had a strong influence on my life. My mother was a concentration camp survivor, and my father was a decorated WWII veteran whose infantry battalion liberated my mother. My wife Julie is my best friend, soulmate, and the funniest person I know. I have four children ages 13, 15, 23, and 27 who keep us very busy.

Why did you get into the health care field? As a child, I always wanted to be the medic when playing army. I love science and helping people.

What interested you in your particular specialty? Lots of gadgets and minimally invasive procedures! Most procedures can be done with sedation only, and patients can go home the same day.

What is the most rewarding part of your job? Helping people, educating patients on procedures and choices, and working as a team. Nothing happens in the hospital without a cohesive team of ancillary staff, radiology techs, and nurses.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? The technology exists for any physician to access patient records and imaging from anywhere in the world anytime; however, insurance and governmental privacy policies and proprietary differences in IT platforms do not allow access. Access should be seamless, but it is not. It is very frustrating.

What do you see changing in health care in the next 5 to 10 years? Scientific progression of increasingly less invasive

procedures will continue, but the economics of third-party payers has to change. It is not financially sustainable as it exists today.

What advice would you give someone looking to become a doctor? Make sure you love what you do, because the training is long and the hours are long.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Spending time with family outdoors. We love hiking, mountain and trail biking, skiing, and road trips. We’re also a musical family. My wife plays drums, two kids play saxophone, and I’ve played guitar my entire life.

What advice would you give to someone who is going to be a patient in a hospital for a period of time? Plan on getting out of bed and ambulating (walking around) as soon as feasible.

Anna

Graham,

Wound & Ostomy Specialist

Igrew up in Oklahoma where I obtained both my associate’s degree in nursing and my bachelor’s degree. I currently live here in Columbia with my husband and two children.

BSN, RN

Why did you get into the health care field? I was inspired to become a nurse by my grandmother Christine, who was also a nurse, and by my younger brother who was born with chronic medical needs.

What interested you in your particular specialty? In Oklahoma, I worked with a passionate and gifted WOC nurse – a nurse certified in wound, ostomy, and continence care – who became a mentor to me. I started out thinking “I want to be that kind of nurse in my own specialty,” and the thought grew into “I want to be that kind of nurse and practice that kind of nursing.”

What is the most rewarding part of your job? This is my first experience in wound and ostomy care, so the learning curve has been very steep but very rewarding. In addition to learning new things, I love how focused I can be with each patient while working with them.

What do you see changing in the next 5 to 10 years?

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? I’ve learned a lot about setting priorities and viewing time as a resource. My team often gets called for minor issues that may not need a specialist consult. While I would love to support every patient with my time and expertise, I am learning to prioritize those patients who most need specialty care. I honestly think the most challenging aspect has been learning to say no — or at least “can you help me clarify this request?” — rather than immediately jumping in with a yes.

What has changed in your field since you started practicing? I think nurses and the world outside of nursing are becoming more aware of compassion fatigue or burnout as a common experience for nurses. It’s not just something experienced by people who aren’t “tough enough” for this world.

My personal favorite thought experiment has to do with how artificial intelligence could change nursing, and how we might anticipate or prepare for that. If technology can replace some of the essential tasks and functions done by people, what identity and value do we have as nurses? What else could we be?

What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, reading, knitting, hiking with my family, and weightlifting.

What advice would you give someone looking to become a nurse? To anyone looking to become a nurse, I would say, “I hope you’ll join us!” Keep yourself open to learning, set a high value on your time and experience, and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself into something new when the time is right.

Shrimp Scampi

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound linguini

• 4 tbsp butter or margarine

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

• 1 shallot or red onion, finely diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Pinch red pepper flakes, optional

• 1lb shrimp, peeled and de-veined

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1/2 cup dry white wine

• Dash of lemon juice

• ½ cup finely chopped parsley leaves

DIRECTIONS

1. For the pasta, put a large pot of water on the stove to boil. When it comes to a boil, add a couple of tablespoons of salt and the linguini. Stir to make sure the pasta separates, then cover. When the water returns to a boil, cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until the pasta is not quite done. Drain the pasta. Cool pasta.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using) until the shallots are translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper; add them to the pan and cook until they have turned pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan; set aside and keep warm.

4. Add wine and lemon juice and bring to a boil.

5. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons oil.

6. When the butter has melted, return the shrimp to the pan along with the parsley and cooked pasta. Stir well and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over a bit more olive oil and serve immediately. By Jason

Anderson, Boone Health Chef

Stroke Awareness

May is National Stroke Awareness Month.

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain has been interrupted, depriving the brain cells of oxygen. This results in the death of brain cells which causes various symptoms dependent on that area of the brain that was affected.

Two Types of Stroke

Ischemic Stroke

Occurs when a clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke

Occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures.

BEFAST

Have you ever heard the saying “Time is Brain?”

That’s because a stroke is:

• Usually sudden

• Can strike at anytime

• Symptoms can develop quickly, can worsen rapidly and be severe

• Stroke symptoms must be treated as an emergency

With a stroke, a person may experience various symptoms dependent on what area of the brain the stroke occurred in.

Understanding the signs and symptoms of a stroke is crucial as treatments to potentially limit the disability from a stroke is TIME dependent. The earlier treatments are initiated, the better the potential outcome. Every second counts!

Boone Hospital is a Recognized Stroke Center

Offering a full spectrum of services to treat patients who have suffered a stroke.

• Level 1 Stroke Center designation with the State of Missouri.

• Offering coordinated care from a “Stroke Team” of experts specializing in the brain and stroke care.

As proud partners of Boone Health, we’re committed to the community, to hire the best, and provide the best service to the hospital and its patients.

2024 Board of Directors

Since 2002, the Boone Hospital Foundation has supported Boone Health’s mission in improving health for the people and communities we serve. This includes programs like A1c tests for Community Wellness screenings; healing massage therapies for hundreds of stroke, palliative care and antepartum patients; Boone’s “Fit for Delivery” class to prepare expectant mothers with methods that aid in delivery and improve post-partum recovery. To accomplish this goal, the Foundation relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations.

The Foundation’s Board of Directors are community members with a strong commitment to Boone Health and our 26-county service area. This year’s Board welcomes five fresh faces, all sharing the passion to enhance healing and build a healthier community and to share the stories of the impact made by giving the gift of health. We are delighted to announce the 2024 Board of Directors:

President: James Roller, MD

Vice President: Arlene Heins

Secretary: Jolene Schulz

Treasurer (and Boone Staff

Representative): Drew Wilkinson

Boone Physician Representative: Dr. Joss Fernandez

Genie Rogers

Dr. Angie Hull*

Jack Franken*

Erica Pefferman*

Pat Hostetler*

Stephanie Goans*

Boone Health Trustee

Representative: Jan Beckett

Boone Health Trustee

Representative: Dr. Dianne Lynch

Foundation Coordinator:

George Johnson

Executive Director:

Monica Collins

*New to the Board

Dr. James Roller, President

Before joining the Foundation Board in 2022, Dr. Jim Roller served in private practice as a dermatologist for over 40 years and served on Boone’s staff since 1980. A long-time Columbia resident, he is married with two children and four grandchildren. He is a past-President and member of Rotary Club of Columbia. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre and Great Rivers Council Boy Scouts of America.

Arlene Heins, Vice President

Eight years ago, Arlene and husband Terry moved from Carrollton, Mo. to Columbia to be closer to family, including her daughter and son-in-law who are locally practicing physicians. This move also brought Arlene closer to her hometown of Frankenstein, Mo. Arlene retired as a high school teacher with teaching certifications in remedial reading, English, speech, drama and special education. She has returned part-time as an ESL teacher for adults with Columbia Public Schools. She is a University of Missouri Museum of Art and Archeology Board member, an Assistance League of Mid-Missouri member, and past-President of the Missouri Symphony League.

Arlene, her family, and close friends have called Boone their healthcare home for years, and she has a great deal of respect for Boone Health. A Foundation board member since 2022, she feels that in this ever-evolving world of medical care, it is important to adapt with the times while maintaining Boone’s high standards for quality patient care. By serving on the Boone Hospital Foundation Board, Arlene serves the community by helping Boone Health continue to thrive.

We look forward to introducing you to our Board members in the coming months. Each individual serves our community to help us all attain the best healthcare possible. We are grateful for their experience and willingness to serve Boone and mid-Missouri.

The 2024 Boone Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament

will be Monday, May 6, 2024

Proceeds from this year’s event support Boone Health’s Maternal and Child Health departments. To learn about tournament sponsorships or team registration, visit our website. To learn more about the Foundation, visit our website at Boone.health/Foundation.

To make a gift, scan the QR code:

Based on the latest research, Fit for Delivery is designed to provide you with comprehensive education to have a healthy pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum experience.