My Boone Health Summer 2012

Homegrown Health

Why you should be gardening

Cover Options To Come In Separate File

the ring: A symbol of love forged during cancer battle

Table Of Contents Boone Hospital Center’s mission is to improve the health of the people

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Page 16

and communities we serve.

Dan Rothery President

Angy Littrell Director

Ben Cornelius Communications and Marketing Manager

Jacob Luecke Media Relations Manager

Shannon Whitney Communications Coordinator Photos By:

Dave Hoffmaster

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Page 30

Daniel Brenner L.G. Patterson Ellen Thommesen

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Please submit comments or feedback to bcc1170@bjc.org or call 573.815.3392

1600 East Broadway Columbia, Mo 65201 573-815-8000 For a free subscription, call 573-815-3392 or visit myBooneHealth.com and click on the subscription link on the right side of the page.

5................................................ A Note From Boone Hospital President Dan Rothery 6..................................................................................................... myBoone Health Stories 8................................................................................................................ Hospital Headlines 10............................................................................................................ Less Pain, More Gain 12..................................................................................................... Bodybuilding For Fitness 13............................................................................................... Putting Feet On The Ground 16.................................................................................Homegrown Health And Happiness 19.............................................................................................................. Enjoying The Bounty 20................................................................................................. Bonding Through Banding 22................................................................................................. A Burden Off His Shoulder 24.............................................................................................................................. Giving Back 25......................................................................................................... Mission And Medicine 26................................................................................................................................... The Ring 29........................................................................................................................ Marathon Kids 30........................................................................................................... A Garden For Healing BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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Note From Dan Growing For Better Health

I Dan Rothery President Boone Hospital Center

’ve always admired gardeners. People sometimes refer to the ability to grow plants as a God-given gift — as if only a fortunate few were born with a “green thumb.”

But when I’ve spoken with people who garden — and we have many on our staff — it’s apparent these people aren’t just born with the skill to grow food and flowers. Rather, it’s acquired through years of learning — sometimes through difficult trial and error.

As much as anything, it requires dedication and regular, physical labor during the growing season to, as Thoreau wrote, “Make the earth say beans instead of grass.”

Today, as health advocates, we at Boone Hospital Center see many advantages to gardening. It’s a hobby that requires regular outdoor activity. Growing fruit and vegetables is also a lower cost method of bringing some of the healthiest, nutrientrich foods to your dinner table.

And we all know that homegrown garden produce simply has the best flavor. What’s better than a fresh summer tomato?

When healthy food tastes better, we’re more likely to eat it.

So, please consider gardening. If you are on the fence, there is plenty of inspiration from our staff on Pages 16-19.

But if gardening just isn’t for you, mid-Missouri has plenty of farmers markets and other local food sellers where you can find fresh produce. I regularly shop at these local markets for homegrown fruits and vegetables.

As always, I wish you good health. And when the need arises, please let us know how we can help.

Daniel J. Rothery

BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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myBoone Health Stories Visit myBooneHealth.com To Read More — And Share Your Own Story Boone Hospital Gives The Best Care To Their Patients

By Cindy McFarland, Columbia

Gracious Staff And Talented Docs

By Caralee Crowe, Fulton

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S

ince 2006, I’ve suffered from Ulcerative Colitis with constant flu-like symptoms, low grade fevers and joint and muscle pain.

I was taking 15 meds a day and was having infusion treatments every eight weeks. My body would respond to the meds, but four weeks after the treatments, I would be sick again.

In 2011, I met with surgeon Dr. Walter Peters to discuss my options, and it was decided my colon needed to be removed.

Two surgeries were needed: one to remove my colon and the second to remove the ileostomy bag and basically put me back together again.

On July 12, 2011, Dr. Peters performed the surgery and it was a success. But one week after the surgery, I was extremely sick. My small intestine was kinked and wasn’t performing the way it should have been. I spent five weeks in the hospital before I had my second surgery to remove

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y daughter spent four days in the hospital and was very ill.

I want to commend the nurses and Dr. Morse, Dr. Trammell, and the wonderful Dr. Wilson.

Thanks to all of you and the grace of

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the bag and reconnect me.

In total I spent 40 days in the hospital.

During my stay, I was treated with respect, love and compassion. I had the best nurses on 5 South, and I am deeply grateful for their care.

The nurses and the patient techs worked so hard to make me comfortable and unafraid; I have deep respect for them.

Dr. Peters and his nurse Tami were amazing as well. One Saturday evening on his way to a wedding with his wife, Dr. Peters stopped in just to see how I was doing. He really cares about his patients, and I always felt comfortable in his care.

I can’t thank him enough either. I owe him my life.

I have always been proud to say I work for Boone Hospital, and I can also attest that Boone Hospital gives the best care to their patients, too.

Thank you Boone for giving me my life back. My family thanks you, too!

God, my daughter and future grandson are doing better. What an awesome place to be. Every single one of you were wonderful to my daughter.

God bless each and every one of you.

Thank you!

By Deanna Wright, Slater

his is not the first time my family and I have spent time at Boone Hospital. My father has been in and out in the last two years, and we are back again.

My dad went in the ER two years ago with severe pain in his stomach. The staff got us in right away and took care of him the best anyone could.

Boone staff are so patient with my mom and myself in fully explaining what is happening and what is going on.

My dad was diagnosed with a rare cancer but that in itself has not been our biggest trouble. After surgery, we found that my dad’s body does not heal exactly the best. After surgery for the cancer, his stitches dehisced (came apart from the inside out), and then we came across multiple hernias.

When the doctors decided that he just wasn’t going to heal with the regular stitches as normally used, they decided to place a wound vac on him. This caused him to be in horrible pain when the packing had to be changed but seemed to speed the healing.

We are back again due to another hernia. After speaking with our doctor, we have found that this is actually pretty normal for the type of surgery that he had. We are so happy and blessed that it looks like he will be able to have laparoscopic surgery this time!

Without the support and prayers of all of our family and the continued help from our Lord, we would have never made it through that first visit, not to mention this fifth visit.

Of course, every time we go home we never want to have to come back, but we always take comfort in knowing that we have a wonderful hospital, gracious staff and talented doctors behind us no matter what comes our way.

Share your story myBooneHealth.com

First-Time Parents Praise Care At The Boone Family Birthplace

By Wesley Winter, Columbia

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y wife Michele and I are first-time parents; Andrew Michael was born Wednesday, April 25.

We decided on Boone Hospital because the hospital has a reputation for taking excellent care of both mothers and babies during and after pregnancy.

In addition, my mother Wanda Winter worked in the laboratory for 20 or so years, and I grew to love Boone Hospital Center during her work here.

Dr. Jones and Dr. Grant took excellent care of my wife and the nurses have been so attentive to our needs.

Confident In Recommending Boone Hospital

By Elizabeth Manes, Columbia

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oone Hospital has been my hospital of choice for my family and me for as long as I can remember, so when I found out I was pregnant with my third child, which was quite the unplanned surprise, there was no question in my mind at which hospital I would be delivering.

Lincoln was born on April 9, 2012.

Throughout the pregnancy I saw Dr. Thies at Women’s Health Associates, which is connected to the hospital. My doctor is fabulous, and I looked forward to her delivering my son on our scheduled day April 16, 2012. However, my baby had other plans for us.

He decided on April 9, 2012, that he was ready, as I woke up in my bed at 4:15 a.m. wet from my water breaking.

I knew from past experience that once

my water breaks, I have the baby within two hours, so I woke up my fiancé, and we rushed to Boone.

The staff was wonderful and very reassuring; they rushed me up to delivery where my nurse calmly and gently talked me through my extremely painful contractions, assuring me that I was doing a great job.

The on-call doctor barely made it in time to deliver as my son was out about an hour after we arrived at the hospital. I didn’t have time for an epidural, so I had a rather painful delivery with no pain medication.

However, the doctor and nurses were great and kept me feeling as comfortable as possible through the whole experience.

My son, Lincoln, was born at 6:06 a.m. and has been extremely well cared

for by the staff here at Boone. I am very pleased with my care and feel confident in recommending Boone Hospital to any and everyone I know.

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Hospital Headlines News From Boone Hospital Center

Celebrating Service During Hospital Week May 7-11, Boone Hospital Center employees enjoyed activities and treats during the annual Hospital Week celebration. Some of the fun included a photo booth on Boone Spirit Day, fruit baskets delivered to the units, and a hospital-wide picnic. Thank you to all our wonderful staff members.

Consumer Reports: Boone Hospital Among State’s Safety Leaders

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n its August 2012 issue, Consumer Reports magazine rated Boone Hospital Center as the second safest hospital in Missouri. This is the first time the magazine has rated hospitals for safety. To create its ranking, which included 41 Missouri hospitals, the magazine used a variety of government and independent sources as well as interviews and literature.

Safety is a daily focus for the physicians and caregivers at Boone Hospital.

“Promote Safety” is the first and most important of the hospital’s 10 Standards of Excellence.

To read more about the Consumer Reports ranking, pick up the August issue, which is available now.

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Golf Tournament Benefits Hospital Foundation

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ay 14, 2012, was a hot, sticky day, but 36 teams still came to The Club at Old Hawthorne to play in the annual Boone Hospital Foundation Golf Tournament. The teams played 18 holes and finished with dinner and a celebration at the “19th Hole.”

The tournament was again a success, raising $57,200 for the Boone Hospital Foundation. The Foundation supports the patients and caregivers at the hospital through many different outlets, including sleep sacks, Know Your Numbers and caregiver education. To make a donation, contact Barb Danuser at 573-815-2801.

The latest news boone.org

Summer Concerts Bring Music To The Healing Garden

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his summer, Boone Hospital Center is hosting concerts on select days in the Healing Garden. Patients, visitors and staff can relax and enjoy the music during their lunch hour. See the boone.org calendar for the schedule!

Mizzou Floor Named For Dr. Beck

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n Monday, April 30, 2012, the third floor of Galena Hall on the MU campus was named the Mary Beck House in honor of Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Mary Beck, DNP, RN, NE-BC. The floor is home to a nursing Freshman Interest Group and a health care Learning Community. It is located next to the nursing school where Dr. Beck has been so influential.

“This was such an unexpected honor and I am truly humbled by this recognition from the students,” Dr. Beck said. “However,

this recognition is a reflection of the opportunities I have had in my career, especially during my 20 years at Boone Hospital Center.”

During the presentation, Dr. Beck gave advice and mentioned highlights of her career as a nursing professional. She took questions from the students who currently live on the floor and shared a few fun stories.

“Working with dedicated health care professionals that are creative and committed to excellence has been a privilege,” Dr. Beck said.

Boone.org Gets A Facelift

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his summer, visitors to boone.org are going to see some positive changes. The new look will include the same great features with a simpler, sleeker navigation.

Boone.org will remain the best resource for physician referral, learning about Boone Hospital services and applying for a job.

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Less Pain, More Gain Women Report Easier Recovery With Robotic Surgery

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hen doctors discovered precancerous cells in her uterus late last year, there were plenty of reasons for Janece Martin to be concerned.

As a 60-year-old woman, how quickly could she recover from the required hysterectomy?

How much pain would she feel?

But most of all, she worried that doctors might discover a hidden cancer while removing her uterus.

“I was very concerned. Even though we had done a biopsy, my doctor wasn’t totally convinced that when they did surgery they wouldn’t find cancer,” said Martin, of Columbia.

Martin’s hysterectomy was scheduled for April 4 at Boone Hospital Center. As the date approached, Martin’s primary gynecologist decided her case was a good fit for minimally invasive surgery using Boone Hospital’s da Vinci robot and referred her to Jennifer Roelands, MD. “When possible, I advocate for robotic surgery as recovery is faster, patients require

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less pain medication and can return to work quicker,” said Dr. Roelands, a board certified gynecologist. “The da Vinci allows me to do a complicated hysterectomy, like Ms. Martin’s, in a less invasive way so she can heal better.”

Martin found this to be true. After waking up following her surgery, she learned doctors had discovered no cancer, which was a great relief.

“When possible, I advocate for robotic surgery as recovery is faster, patients require less pain medication and can return to work quicker.” ~Jennifer Roelands, MD She was also amazed that she felt no pain.

“It didn’t hurt, and I thought, well, that’s odd,” she said. “That was nowhere near what I expected.”

Just hours after the surgery, she was up and walking pain-free. She was released from the hospital the next morning without any pain medication.

“Not one pain pill did I take,” she said.

“It was just totally amazing.”

The recovery was so easy, Martin later teased her primary gynecologist, saying, “I don’t think you all did surgery.” He replied, “Oh yes we did; I watched the whole thing.”

Before the surgery, Martin’s husband had taken off 10 days from work to help care for her throughout her recovery. But the tables turned during her quick recovery when he strained his back a few days after her surgery.

“I actually drove him to the ER and had to watch over him,” she said, with a laugh.

Martin praised Dr. Roelands for the surgical skill and technological expertise she brings to mid-Missouri.

“She is a tremendous asset to Boone Hospital and the community,” she said.

Minimally Invasive Option Boone Hospital has offered da Vinci surgical procedures since 2008.

It’s a robotic system where a surgeon uses hand and foot controls to maneuver tiny surgical instruments with minute precision.

A special camera provides the surgeon with clear 3D footage direct from the surgery site.

The system allows trained physicians to perform surgeries with slender robotic arms rather than their own hands, making it possible to have much smaller surgical openings.

Research shows that compared to traditional surgery, robotic procedures are less painful, take less time to complete, leave much smaller scars and allow patients to leave the hospital sooner and recover faster.

Boone Hospital is fortunate to have two physicians who are masters at using robotics for women’s health issues: Dr. Roelands and Sara Crowder, MD. Dr. Roelands learned robotic surgery at Duke University. She has been using

Learn more boone.org/davinci

this technology since 2005 and trains other physicians around the country how to perform procedures. She helped start the da Vinci program at Boone Hospital in 2008.

She has completed more than 80 robotic cases and uses the technology not just for hysterectomy, but for a variety of other procedures as well, including removal of fibroids, endometriosis and other complex gynecological cases.

“I am happy there is a minimally invasive option like the da Vinci in mid-Missouri, and that I am able to provide that service to my patients,” Dr. Roelands said.

Dr. Crowder is the only board certified gynecologic oncologist in mid-Missouri.

After training to do robotic surgery, she began using the technology for complex cases and patients requiring surgery for cancers. Crowder said she now performs more robotic surgery on a monthly basis than any other surgeon in Missouri.

“Practicing at Boone hospital is a joy,” Dr. Crowder said. “The nursing care, support staff and facility help me in my

quest to provide patients with the quality care they deserve.”

Easier Than Expected When Nellie Jones learned she had endometrial cancer, she said it was a shock.

“It’s a feeling that I wouldn’t put on anybody,” she said.

Jones, 72, of Huntsville, is the matriarch of a close family. Instead of sharing her cancer diagnosis over the phone, she wanted to share the news with her family face to face.

“I called them over to the house and told them I had something to talk to them about,” she said. “They were strong; they didn’t let me see them get down about it.

They take good care of their momma.”

As physicians studied her case, it was determined that robotic hysterectomy, performed by Dr. Crowder, was the preferred option for Jones.

Until her own surgery was scheduled, Jones said she wasn’t aware the da Vinci robotic system was available in midMissouri.

“I heard them talk about it on TV, but I didn’t know we had it here yet,” she said.

Going in to her surgery, Jones said she was a “nervous wreck.” But once it was over, she, too, said her recovery was much easier than expected.

Like Martin, she was able to walk around hours after the surgery and was able to go home the next day. She also needed very little pain medication and was surprised by how small her scars were.

“Before the surgery, I was sitting here thinking about all the cuts and scars I was going to have,” she said. “But I just have a two-inch scar and then some other little bitty scars.”

Today, Jones is cancer free. The surgery was successful and did not require any chemotherapy or radiation.

Looking back, Jones said the words that illustrate why robotic surgery is an increasingly preferred option for women.

“I didn’t expect it to be this easy,” she said. By Jacob Luecke BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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Bodybuilding For Fitness Training Helps Three Boone Employees Tone Bodies, Discover More Energy

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ecoming stronger, healthier women is what inspired three Boone Hospital Center employees to compete in a recent bikini fitness championship.

Occupational therapists Brittany Dillon, Jayme Lingwall and Kristi Sappington trained six months for the Kansas City Bodybuilding Championship, which took place April 28. It was the first time any of the three had competed in such a contest.

The usual buff connotations of the word “bodybuilding” don’t accurately describe the goal of their portion of the contest — healthy bodies with a lean, symmetrical, toned look.

“The bikini fitness girls are very lean and fit; it’s not about being big and muscular,” Lingwall said.

Last year, Sappington came up with the idea to compete in a bodybuilding competition, with Dillon and Lingwall quickly joining the effort.

“It makes you a stronger person to know that I did that for six months. I worked hard, and I made it.” ~Brittany Dillon “I had gained weight over the last couple years through OT school,” Sappington said.

“Now that I had time to work out, I wanted to get back in shape. I wanted to have a knockout body. I wanted to look good.”

The three sought help from Ted Glasgow, a former Boone Hospital employee and bodybuilding champion.

One of Glasgow’s first steps was to sign up the three women for the Kansas City contest, giving them a goal to shoot for.

Glasgow also put them on a strict diet and exercise routine. They would eat up to seven small, healthy meals each day to keep their metabolism constantly revved up.

The diet eliminated processed foods and sugars, a change they said gave them more energy for their twice-a-day 12

Summer 2012 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

workout sessions. They would do a lighter cardio session in the morning with more strenuous cardio and weightlifting in the evening. The weight sessions rotated each day to focus on different areas of the body — arms, legs, back, chest, abdominals.

Whenever possible, the three worked out together and motivated each other.

“It was something fun for us to do together outside of work,” Dillon said.

It didn’t take long to start seeing results, with the three noticing significant changes in their bodies after just one month.

“The biggest thing for me was when my abs started coming in; that was really exciting,” Lingwall said.

Beyond outward appearance, the three also noticed other changes.

They had much more energy, fewer headaches and felt better prepared Brittany Dillon, Jayme Lingwall and Kristi Sappington for the physical aspects of their bikini, alone, in front of 10 judges and job, which can require heavy lifting and hundreds of fans. transferring patients.

“I was terrified because I’m pretty It also helped them motivate their modest,” Lingwall said. “But before I walked patients to work hard in their therapy out on stage, I thought, I’ve worked hard. sessions.

And although this is the most bizarre thing “If you are preaching to your patients I’ve done, I was completely not nervous.” to be healthy and physically fit, you kind All three received cheers and support from of have to practice what you preach,” the audience, which they said felt very good.

Sappington said.

They all also received honors from the Despite the months of exercise, judges. Dillon and Sappington received healthy eating and posing practice first and second in their height class, in with local coach Lisa Nobles, nothing which they were the only two entrants. could prepare the three for the rush of Lingwall took honorable mention in her actually competing in the Kansas City class, which had 12 other contestants.

Bodybuilding Championship.

But the honors were the smallest reward “It was a like a whole other world,” from the experience, which the three Dillon said. women said left them with stronger bodies, A morning of makeup, hair styling, high healthier lives and more self-esteem. heels, tanning solution and literally glued“It makes you a stronger person to know on bikinis — an insider trick to keep the that I did that for six months, I worked suits perfectly positioned — led up to the hard, and I made it,” Dillon said. moment of truth.

By Jacob Luecke They’d have to walk out on stage in a

Putting

Feet

On The Ground This spring, Photographer Ellen Thommesen explored how the Know Your Numbers program reaches mid-Missourians in rural communities.

She shares this photo essay. >>>

By Ellen Thommesen BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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Mark Friedrich drives the Know Your Numbers mobile health unit through farmland on the way to a WELLAWARE event in Paris, Mo. Purchased in 2011 by the Boone Hospital Foundation, the vehicle travels to the 25 counties in mid-Missouri served

by Boone Hospital.

The Know Your Numbers vehicle arrives at Ashland Baptist Church at sunrise for a day of free health screenings. The WELLAWARE team markets the screening weeks in advance by working with each county’s health department, as well as sending out fliers and buying advertising spots on local radio.

The WELLAWARE staff discusses the best place to park the bus. They have to take into account the flatness of the ground and the potential publicity the bus could get. The team ended up parking it at the front of the church, parallel to the main street in downtown Ashland.

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Judy Elsbury, Sharon Henderson, Mary McGee and Aileen Putnam wait outside the bus before it opens. Because the tests require a 12-hour fast, many people try to come before work in the morning. Numbers are most accurate after fasting.

Theresa Lackey fills out a form while Pamela Jones prepares her test.

Lackey lives five miles outside of Ashland, but had planned to come into town anyway, so she made a stop at the health screening. “I hadn’t had those things checked for a few years,” she said. Lackey felt healthy and was reassured by her numbers that she has been keeping up her health.

It is astonishing how much equipment fits inside the bus. Every corner is efficiently designed to maximize the patient care space. The bus has three rooms inside — one for initial paperwork, one for testing and one for discussing results.

Just a little blood can say a lot about the body’s overall health.

Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and glucose are tested accurately with blood from a finger prick. The blood is placed in a slide and read by a machine that calculates the number for each.

Adair Hathaway is weighed by Jeff Zimmermann to determine his Body Mass Index. In addition to BMI, at most stops the Know Your Numbers mobile health unit provides screenings for cholesterol, blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure, HDL and LDL.

Grover Davidson smiles as he gets his finger pricked and talks with a nurse. Davidson lives and works on a farm outside of Ashland.

See the back cover of this magazine for upcoming Know Your Numbers screening events.

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Boone Hospital Staff Members Share Their Love For Gardening

Homegrown Health And Happiness

By Shannon Whitney

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Gardening gives us a chance to enjoy the outdoors and provides us with ripe, natural vegetables during the summer months. Vegetables grown at home (or at grandma’s house) are usually exposed to fewer chemicals and are much fresher than store-bought produce. Boone Hospital employees are proud to share their gardens, why they garden and some of their favorite recipes using homegrown foods. julie roberts Here is what Julie Roberts, pictured with her husband James, had to say about her garden: “Well, it goes back to roots!” she said. “You could call it family roots.

My grandparents had gardens with vegetables and strawberries. I helped pick the strawberries when I stayed with them as a child. Growing up, my parents had a garden and my mom canned various vegetables. They always tasted extra good in the winter when she would fix green beans or put tomatoes in her chili.”

Julie and James are expecting their first child, Johanna Marie, in August.

They are already canning this year’s produce for when their daughter arrives.

“I worked hard to can all these carrots, so she better not spit them back at me,” Julie said with a laugh.

karen elmore This is the first little garden I have ever done. We have grown basil and rosemary before, but never any veggies. I just thought it would be fun to have a few things that we grow ourselves. It is a fun project for the whole family. I didn’t want to dig up the yard so we put them in the brick planter we have on our patio.

We generally eat our veggies raw.

However, we do use our basil on the tomatoes, and put fresh mozzarella and balsamic vinegar over the top.

We also roast our red peppers on the grill and the red chilies we use as a taco seasoning.

Hamburger Skillet Dinner

beatrice erisman I like gardening because I am outside and enjoy seeing things grow. I enjoy all the vegetables and also put a lot of them up, either canning or freezing them. They are the best fresh though! All of my grandkids enjoy helping except when it comes to the weeding!

Ingredients: 1 pound of ground beef, browned and drained 1 onion, chopped 1 zucchini, cut in julienne strips 1 yellow summer squash, cut in julienne strips 2 carrots, cut in julienne strips 1 pint of canned whole tomatoes Spices to your taste — salt, pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup Minute Rice Shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Brown ground beef, drain and add vegetables, spices and sugar. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until vegetables are tender crisp then add about 1/2 cup Minute Rice to absorb the liquid. Let simmer for 5 minutes until rice is done and sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese.

Enjoy! It is great with sweet corn from the garden.

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mary jane oswald

This year, I am growing: lettuce, peas, onions, asparagus, broccoli, green beans, corn, a variety of hot peppers, green and red bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers and cantaloupe.

Gardening is how I recharge my batteries at the end of the day. It gives me a sense of satisfaction to grow and have healthy plants in my garden. I like to can the surplus and have it all winter as well. I enjoy sharing with others the extra that is left.

Squash Casserole Directions:

Spray a small casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Layer thin slices of tomato, onion, squash and zucchini in the small casserole dish.

You will have several layers (2 to 3) then top it off with Italianseasoned breadcrumbs and dot with butter.

Cover with plastic wrap and microwave for 10-15 minutes.

Kate Pitzer

We love to garden because both my boys enjoy digging in the dirt, and I think it is important for all of us to know how healthy food is grown. We compost many of our kitchen scraps and take turns “feeding” the garden. This year we are growing (or have grown) lettuces, strawberries, thornless blackberries, red and green bell peppers, okra, all types of tomatoes, including sweet cherry tomatoes, mini seedless watermelons and lots of herbs.

Last year we grew our own pumpkins. We don’t use pesticides so that the neighborhood kids can safely pick a strawberry or blackberry right out of the garden to enjoy. Instead, we rely on lots of marigolds and our German shepherd to keep the deer and bunnies at bay.

Summer Salad Ingredients:

Fresh lettuces (this weekend I used romaine, arugula and red lettuce), chopped 1/4 to 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh herbs, whatever you have on hand (We love basil!)

1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved, or 1-2 large tomatoes, sliced Good balsamic vinegar (we use 12-year-old balsamic, from World Harvest in Columbia), drizzled to taste Extra virgin olive oil, to taste (if you use good balsamic vinegar, you

can omit this); basil flavored oil also is nice A few shavings of good hard cheese (parmigiano, reggiano, asiago, aged hard cheddar, etc. World Harvest has a great selection.)

Salt and pepper to taste Directions:

Combine chopped lettuce with torn or chopped leaves of fresh herbs. Add tomatoes and cheese shavings, and drizzle with vinegar and oil to taste. Add salt and pepper to taste.

*Read Kate Pitzer’s blackberry muffin recipe at myBooneHealth.com.

gail white I have always loved to flower garden, and my husband has been longing for years to have a spot for some vegetables. However, our only sunny spot is our front yard. Consequently, I hogged all the sunny spots for my flowers. Last year we grew tired of mowing, fertilizing and seeding our grass, only to have it look ragged by late summer. We decided to take the tiller to the front lawn and have since planted a menagerie of vegetables and flowers with paths, a fountain, trellises and raised beds. It is a work in progress, but is taking shape.

It has become a haven for hummingbirds and other wildlife that we enjoy every day!

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More health information boone.org/wellaware

Enjoying The Bounty The Nutritional Bonus Of Eating From Your Garden Or Local Farmers Market

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ersonally, late summer through early fall is the highlight of my year. I enjoy the last bits of the summer sun before the crispness of fall sets in, the approaching football season — and my favorite — the bounty coming out of the gardens and farms around mid-Missouri.

With the global market that’s present nowadays, the stickers on produce can make you think that all of our fruits and vegetables thrive only in the warmer climates of California, Florida, Mexico, Chile and way, way over there in New Zealand. However, if you’ve visited your own local farmers market, you realize how much we can grow seasonally in the Midwest. Apples, beets, peppers, berries, broccoli, cabbage, melons, carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, onions, peaches, peas, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, greens, summer squash, corn, tomatoes, turnips and Kristy Lang, RD, LD winter squash can all be found right here!

Although as a dietitian I can’t find any fault with eating lots of fruits and veggies, no matter where they come from, there are some added perks to getting them from local farmers or your own garden.

What are those benefits? Well, taste for one! Cutting into a fresh tomato that’s bright red through and through and not even slightly mealy is something I know many of my fellow Missourians enjoy as much as I do. I’ve known a lot of people who have taken a liking to a fruit or vegetable they hated all their life once they got

to try a fresh-picked version. When produce is picked in a different state or country, it is typically harvested before it has completely ripened in order to decrease the chance it will spoil in transit.

(Think of the green bananas at the grocery store as an easy-to-spot example). It’s typically in those last few days on the plant that our fruits and veggies go from tasting “all right” to “please, sir, may I have some more?” Because of this, both the texture and taste can change significantly. (Think again of people who love a green and yellow banana versus those who love their bananas with a few brown speckles).

Vitamin and mineral content can increase as well. It is vitamins and minerals that give our food color. For example, vitamin A makes foods orange and red, which is why things such as sweet potatoes, red peppers and cantaloupe are all so high in this vitamin. However, if foods are picked when they are still green, though they will still ripen off the plant, their vitamin and mineral content will not be as high.

One last thing you’ll see increase: family fun. If you have picky eaters, be they 5 or 50 years old, they’ll still get excited to try the first cucumber of the summer or last squash of the fall when it comes from their own garden, or if they helped pick out the best looking one from the farmers market. Kids who help prepare meals, even from the seedling stage, are more likely to eat those fruits and veggies because they had a hand in the process. If you want an easy recipe the whole family can help prepare, try out this Caprese Salad recipe. Basil and tomatoes are peaking this time of year, and combined with some cheese, it’s hard to go wrong!

Caprese Salad Serves 4-6 as a side dish or 2 as an entrée.

Ingredients: 2 medium sized tomatoes, cut in half and sliced into bite-sized pieces 10-15 basil leaves, de-stemmed 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into bite-sized pieces 2-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Directions: Arrange tomatoes on serving platter in a single layer. Top each piece with basil then mozzarella cheese. Drizzle vinegar over dish. Serve.

BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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Learn more boone.org/weightloss

Bonding Through Banding Mother And Daughter Lose 225 Pounds Through Weight Loss Surgery

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other and daughter Kathy Rufener and Wendi Wood have both had their lives transformed by a special surgery that aids

Kathy Rufener and Wendi Wood

weight loss.

Combined, they have lost more than 225 pounds.

Both women had a special gastric banding surgery to help them lose weight.

Today, they each have a Lap-Band on their stomachs. The band reduces the capacity of each of their stomachs and helps them get full faster and stay full longer.

While Rufener struggled with weight her entire life, Wood was thin as a child and teen but later gained weight when she had children.

Over time, both women felt the effects of obesity. They had less energy, had a harder time moving around, and Kathy was put on medications to help control weightrelated illnesses.

The Lap-Band reduces the capacity of the stomach and helps the patient get full faster and stay full longer.

Seeking to make a change, four years ago Wood and Rufener attended a weight loss surgery seminar together at Boone Hospital Center.

Rufener watched as her daughter decided to have the surgery and began shedding weight. Wood’s body and health completely changed as she lost 175 pounds.

Seeing her daughter’s success eventually convinced Rufener and her husband that it was time for her to have the surgery as well.

Rufener took advantage of a special limited time offer at Boone Hospital to have the gastric band placed for just $9,500. Financing options are also available. Some employer insurance plans cover this service.

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Summer 2012 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

To date, she’s already lost more than 50 pounds and is nearing her personal goal.

“I feel so much lighter,” Rufener said.

“Now I can’t imagine walking around with those 50 pounds on me.”

The weight loss has also helped her reduce and eliminate some of her

medications.

For Rufener and Wood, their weight loss success has been a great bonding experience.

“If it weren’t for her getting involved in the first place I probably would have never done it,” said Rufener.

By Jacob Luecke

A Burden Off His Shoulder Marshall Farmer Praises His “Boy Wonder” Doctor

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urt Bormann, MD, explains reverse shoulder surgery like there’s nothing to it.

“You put a prosthesis in the hemmoral shaft, you put a prosthesis in the glenoid, which is part of the scapula,” he said. “And how you do that depends on the arthritis they have or if they have a rotator cuff tear or a fracture.”

Sounds easy, right? Dr. Bormann, with 22

Summer 2012 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

Columbia Orthopaedic Group, does shoulder surgeries of all kinds about once a week.

The one he was talking about is for patients with severe rotator cuff problems who don’t have many other options. One patient who fit the bill and had the surgery is Mike Vogel.

Vogel is a 77-year-old farmer from Marshall, Mo., who is a father of six, grandfather of 13 and great-grandfather

to one. Over the years, his shoulders had taken a beating.

“I’ve been on a farm my whole life, except for my military service,” he said.

“That’s a lot of hard work, hay bales, feedbags, seed bags, you name it. My shoulders wore out.”

He’s had three rotator cuff surgeries, and after two on his right shoulder and one on his left, his family doctor said there was nothing else he could do.

Learn more boone.org/ortho

“For a while there, we didn’t think there was anything we could do about it,” explained Vogel’s wife of 54 years, Fran.

“He wasn’t a candidate for rotator cuff surgery again, so what are your choices?”

When it felt like Vogel was running out of options, his doctor introduced him to Dr. Bormann, a specialist.

“His personality just gives you confidence. The first time he walked into the room, I said ‘You’re just a boy; What do you know about shoulders?’” exclaimed Vogel of Dr. Bormann’s young face. “He said ‘Give me a chance and I’ll show you.’

That’s exactly what he did.”

“The first time [Dr. Kurt Bormann] walked into the room, I said ‘You’re just a boy; What do you know about shoulders?’” ~Mike Vogel After the surgery on his right shoulder on Dec. 1, 2011, Vogel has been calling Dr. Bormann “Boy Wonder.” The young doctor just laughs at the nickname, thankful that it’s at least a positive one. He said he gets that reaction often.

“They say, ‘You’re younger than I expected.’ It’s almost every day that there’s some comment about my age, ‘How old are you?’ ‘How long have you been doing this?’

I just try to be honest,” Dr. Bormann said with a laugh.

He doesn’t mind telling them how many surgeries he’s done.

After listening to him explain the process, most patients are comforted by his knowledge. His friendly personality shines as he discusses how he can help and what the post-surgery expectations are.

Sometimes recovery is the trickiest part. Patients who have shoulder surgery generally spend a few nights in the hospital. The healing process is slow and often painful, but Dr. Bormann stays involved throughout the process.

He even called Vogel twice at home.

Vogel still comes in every couple of months

The components of a reverse total shoulder replacement include the metal ball that is screwed into the shoulder socket, and the plastic cup that is secured into the upper arm bone.

Reproduced with permission from OrthoInfo. ©American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org

to show Dr. Bormann his progress.

They chat about farm life during consultations, and Vogel is certain to ask about Dr. Bormann’s son as he lifts and lowers his right arm.

“I can drive semis,” said Vogel of his return to the farm chores after surgery and recovery. “I can shift gears now and all that.”

“He can mow the yard,” Fran interjected.

“There was nothing keeping him from mowing the yard before, though.”

It’s clear that she played a large role in his recovery too. She reminds him of how

painful it was, but he assures her it was worth it. She said he slept in a recliner for three months right after surgery.

“The recliner chair had the lift on the right side, so I called the furniture store and they came out and put the lever on the other side,” said Fran with a smile.

Since then, Vogel has done physical therapy and arm exercises at home. He’s regained his full range of motion, and he’s still improving.

“It’s great to see someone come back in three months or six months and showing me how they can move their arm and telling about how their pain has improved,” Dr. Bormann said. “That’s what makes it worth it.”

By Shannon Whitney BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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Volunteer information boone.org/volunteer

“If you have to be in the hospital, this is where you want to be.” ­— Marla Grothoff

Giving Back Three-Month Hospital Stay Inspires Volunteer’s Service

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arla Grothoff enjoys assisting people who need a little help finding their destination.

In her work as a volunteer at Boone Hospital Center, she roams the hospital’s halls, looking for people who are a little lost.

Grothoff, of Columbia, said her motorized wheelchair gives her an advantage in this work.

“I don’t mind roaming because my feet never get sore,” she joked.

But she certainly understands what sore feet are like. As a dance prodigy early in life, Grothoff spent hours on her feet each day practicing.

She danced all through childhood, starting at 2 1/2. At 12, she began teaching, and by age 16 she had her own studio.

“I really wanted to be a ballet dancer,” she said. “I was going to make that my profession.”

She danced even during the four years her family spent living in Florida and Texas while her father worked on simulators for NASA’s Gemini Program. She knew all the original astronauts.

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Summer 2012 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

“I was sitting in the simulator one time with John Glenn and he was saying these are what these buttons do,” she remembers.

But her life drastically changed when she was 17. One day that year, she suddenly had a pain in her back. In just 20 minutes her body was paralyzed from the neck down.

She had suffered a sudden, mysterious severe spinal cord inflammation, called transverse myelitis.

Although doctors thought she would die that day, Grothoff survived and became stable. Three months later, she was discharged from the hospital with little hope for regaining use of her body. Her dreams of dancing were gone.

“I thought, OK, now what am I going to do?” she said.

She spent the next five years working with her mom to regain as much movement as possible. Eventually, she became selfsufficient and was able to attend college and later law school at the University of Missouri.

After graduating, she was married and had two daughters — both Boone Babies.

She spent her career working as an attorney for the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Today, she’s partially retired but keeps quite busy working part-time jobs and volunteering on Tuesdays at Boone Hospital.

She said her decision to volunteer at a hospital goes back to the three months she spent hospitalized as a teenager. During that time, she remembers many people at the hospital who helped cheer her up. Now she wants to do that for Boone Hospital patients.

“If it can make someone’s stay just a little better, I want to do that,” she said.

She chose to volunteer at Boone Hospital because of the many positive experiences she’s had at the hospital in the past.

“I love this hospital. When you come here, everyone is as nice as they can be. They go that extra mile and do whatever they can for you. I wanted to be in that environment and add to that environment,” she said. “If you have to be in the hospital, this is where you want to be.” By Jacob Luecke

Mission And Medicine Dr. Starke And Family Establish A Foundation For Health In Niger

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r. Joe Starke spent two years practicing medicine in Ghana about 15 years ago. After leaving Ghana, his family, including his wife and six children moved to Columbia, where he joined the Columbia Surgical Associates. He worked with CSA at Boone Hospital for the next 12 years. With time, however, it became clear to his family that their missionary days were not over.

After doing some research, Dr. Starke found Galmi Hospital in the Sahel, a poor region of West Africa. The Starkes and their three youngest children packed their bags in 2009 and moved to a small community in France for a year to master the French language. After a year of preparatory French, the family moved to Niger, West Africa in 2010.

Niger is consistently ranked at the bottom of United Nations Development Index.

There is only one doctor for every 30,000 people in Niger.

The area is plagued by serious food shortages, which in turn affect the health of the people. Niger is consistently ranked at the bottom of United Nations Development Index. There is only one doctor for every 30,000 people in Niger.

If Missouri had the same doctor-topopulation ratio, only 200 doctors would work in our state rather than the more than 12,000 who currently practice here.

“Because the people there are so poor, they are reluctant to expend the resources to seek medical care until the last minute,” Dr. Starke said. “So when they arrive at the hospital they are often in really bad shape.”

In addition to performing surgeries at the hospital, Dr. Starke is also pioneering a program though the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons. He is creating a rural hospital-based residency program for West African doctors to become surgeons.

The first two doctors will begin their fiveyear residencies this August.

It is the sixth program of its kind and the first one for Galmi Hospital. Dr. Starke said he values working with doctors from all over Africa and around the world at the mission hospital.

When asked about some of the biggest differences in practicing medicine between Niger and Columbia, Dr. Starke sums it up as “resource-limited medicine.”

“There are fewer tests we can do and fewer medications we have to treat our patients,” he said. “We’re always looking to do the most with what we have. The lack of resources is one of the biggest challenges, not having enough supplies, trained personnel or even consistent electricity.”

Dr. Starke notes another distinction is the types of sickness he sees. He mentioned tropical illnesses such as malaria and typhoid, tuberculosis and HIV, which are often complicated by severe malnutrition and are much less prevalent in the United States.

The Starkes plan to stay in Africa for the foreseeable future — at least until the residency program is successfully underway. The whole family has enjoyed adjusting to the lifestyle and culture of West Africa.

“For us, it’s very gratifying,” Dr. Starke said. “We’re enjoying living and working in another culture. It isn’t for everyone, but we feel it is a job for which we were created and called to do.”

By Shannon Whitney BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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The Ring His Presence, With Her Always

By Jacob Luecke

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olding tight with two hands, Lee Morgan leans forward with his torch and blasts fire onto the casting.

A wax ring inside melts away. Left behind is a ring-shaped cavity, into which Morgan pours liquid gold. The forge glows red.

In a moment, Morgan reaches out with tongs and plunges the casting into water.

When cool, he opens it, revealing his creation: A white gold engagement ring.

He seats an emerald cut diamond atop the ring. It’s perfect.

The magic of forging a ring never grows old for Morgan. “I get excited every time I get to do it,� he said.

Gazing at the finished product, he sees that it looks like many other engagement rings: topped with a diamond, to be worn on the fourth finger of the left hand, a gift from a lover, symbolizing a promise lasting forever.

But this ring has a different story.

It is unlike any other Morgan has created during his 30 years as a jeweler.

This engagement ring is for a woman named Erin Enderle.

A Diamond

Enderle readily recalls her first impressions of her fiancé.

“If there were a party, he could come into a room, not know a single person, and by the time he left, everybody would know who Scott Fischer was,” she said.

“He just had this charisma and he wanted to make sure everybody was having a good time and enjoying life.”

It was the late 1990s and the two were students together at Central Methodist University in Fayette.

For his friends at the university, he was like the sun, a diamond at the center of their social universe. Enderle was just one of many friends happily in Fischer’s orbit.

Enderle said she was attracted to Fischer during college but she was too shy to share her feelings with him.

“He was just too cool for me,” she said.

Near the end of college, Enderle took a two-year hiatus from school. When she came back to finish, Fischer had already graduated and left town.

Enderle graduated, too, and went on with her life.

For the moment, Fischer was someone in her past. But not forgotten.

Vein Of Love

Engagement rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.

An old legend says that the ring finger has a vein running directly to the heart. It was called the “vein of love.” Because of the legend, wearing a ring there signifies nothing is closer to one’s heart than a spouse or fiancé.

There was a singular moment when Fischer came to occupy that place near Enderle’s heart. It happened last August at Boone Hospital Center.

Years had passed since Enderle had seen Fischer. She decided to search for him online.

“I wanted to just find out how he was doing,” she said. “It wasn’t an attractiontype desire. It was just, ‘How is he?’”

She found him on Facebook. They began exchanging messages.

Enderle was surprised to learn Fischer had recently been diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer of the blood or bone marrow.

He was receiving regular chemotherapy

treatments at Boone Hospital.

She decided to visit Fischer at the hospital during his next weeklong chemo session.

Enderle wondered how time and sickness might have changed Fischer. She felt nervous leading up to the visit. But when she arrived at Boone Hospital, the Fischer she remembered from college was waiting for her.

“I got in that room and he was just bubbly and interactive,” she said. “He had so much life about him.”

The two old friends spent hours talking and reminiscing. They felt a connection.

When it was time to go, Fischer walked her to the hospital’s main entrance and said goodbye.

It was a great visit. Enderle decided to come back the next day.

The answer was already there.

Scott Fischer was in her heart.

Fischer was wearing an infection control face mask when Enderle arrived — his white blood cell count was low. But that didn’t dim their time together. It was another wonderful evening.

Fischer again walked with Enderle to the hospital lobby to say goodnight.

As they reached the door, Enderle turned to say goodbye. Then Fischer pulled down his face mask and kissed her.

Enderle, taken aback, pivoted and quickly left. It was an awkward moment.

“He was always ‘Mr. Smooth,’” Enderle later laughed, remembering that kiss. “So it really didn’t go as he planned.”

Fischer sent her text messages to apologize and explain. Enderle decided to continue coming to visit. She was realizing she had feelings for him as well.

Over the next two nights, Enderle and Fischer pretended like the kiss never happened. Yet it was impossible to ignore the chemistry in the hospital room during her visits. She knew she was falling for him.

After she left Fischer Thursday evening, Enderle went home and struggled with her heart.

Could she do this? Was she ready to become a part of this difficult journey? If the relationship turned sour, how could she break up with a cancer patient?

But the answer was already there. Fischer was in her heart.

“In those few days I fell in love with him,” Enderle later said. “He captured me.”

She picked up her phone and texted her feelings to him. “I wanted to kiss you so bad tonight,” she wrote.

When she came to visit Fischer Friday night, her kiss was waiting — the most amazing kiss of her life.

From then on, Fischer and Enderle were almost inseparable.

A Promise

Fischer didn’t like to talk about his cancer. He tried to shut it out.

During important meetings with doctors, he sometimes looked like he was trying not to absorb their words. If a loved one wanted to speak to his doctor about his diagnosis, Fischer sometimes made them go out in the hallway. He didn’t want to hear it.

The reality was his prognosis was not hopeful. He had a rare form of acute erythroid leukemia. With his cancer, many patients don’t survive a year after learning they’re sick.

Regardless, Fischer vowed to do anything to live. He also volunteered to participate in studies to help find a cure for others.

Fischer’s older sister, Amy Sipe, is a clinical pharmacist at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. As close siblings, Sipe was very involved in Fischer’s care at Boone Hospital.

“It was fantastic. He was very well cared for,” she said. “He got to know the nursing staff and he felt very comfortable.”

Soon, Enderle also became involved in Fischer’s treatment. Their bond had quickly deepened.

One night, the two were at Enderle’s house sitting on the floor looking through music CDs. She looked at Fischer.

“You know what, you have to get better because you are going to marry me,” she said.

“Really?” he replied.

“Yeah.”

“I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he told her.

As the two began to spread the news of their plans to marry, Fischer specifically sought out his sister.

Sipe remembers being pulled aside one day as Fischer made his intentions clear, “Erin makes me feel like your husband makes you feel. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”

A Gift

Enderle admits not everyone in her life supported or understood her decision BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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to become engaged to Fischer during his cancer battle.

But he brought her so much joy.

Even though his sickness was weakening him, he found the energy to go out and have fun with Enderle. The two even attended the annual homecoming celebration at Central Methodist, where they first met.

More than anything they did together, Enderle said Fischer simply made her feel good about herself. That was his gift.

“He gave me all of my confidence,” she said. “Being with him made me feel sure of who I am.”

But as time went on, Fischer spent more time in the hospital.

He was transferred to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis where he received two stem cell transplants. Neither could turn the tide against the cancer.

Yet Fischer remained convinced he would eventually find a cure.

“Scott was not big on details or worrying about statistics,” Enderle said. “He was going to be the 1 percent; he was going to be in all the medical journals. That was the belief we hung on to.”

Fischer’s second stem cell transplant happened near the end of January, and his condition worsened soon afterward.

Days later he was in intensive care.

When Enderle got the call, she rushed to see him. She was shocked at his decline. He was breathing rapidly, had a heart monitor and two IV poles.

He was in septic shock; his organs were beginning to fail.

During this time, Enderle remembers looking at Fischer. He was skinny and covered in a rash. All of his hair was gone, including eyelashes and eyebrows. His hands were calloused.

When they became engaged, he was so full of life. But now, just five months later, leukemia had withered him.

As always, Fischer tried to make light of the situation.

He would tell her, “Baby, don’t worry. I know I’m not sexy right now, but I’m going to get it back,” she remembered.

Together, they held out hope for a future together.

“He never once said, ‘I’m going to die,’” Enderle said. “He just talked about getting better so he could provide for me.”

But he continued to worsen. His right lung collapsed and he was intubated. He became unconscious.

On Feb. 18, he passed away.

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Summer 2012 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

Clockwise from top: Erin and Scott; Erin’s ring; Lee Morgan mixes Scott’s ashes with the liquid gold.

Fischer’s body was cremated and family and friends later gathered for a memorial service.

At the service, they stood and told stories, remembering Fischer for who he was: full of life, living every moment to the fullest, the center of the party and a person who made sure everyone was having a good time and felt good about themselves.

These were the gifts Fischer left behind.

The Ring

Fischer often talked of buying Enderle an engagement ring.

She never allowed it. She preferred he spend his money on his health.

“I didn’t want him to have to go without something he needed so that I could have a ring,” she said.

But after he died, the idea of a ring stuck with her. That’s how she met Lee Morgan.

She researched ring designs and shared them with Morgan, who works at Tucker’s Fine Jewelry in downtown Columbia.

A cancer survivor himself, Morgan took the project to heart.

“We were sort of kindred spirits,” Morgan said. “She spoke with me at length

about her situation and I told her about what I went through.”

Morgan worked with Enderle to create an original ring design with a fish image on each side. “Fish” was a nickname for Fischer.

Enderle had one more idea. She asked that when Morgan cast the ring, that he intermingle Fischer’s ashes with the gold.

“She wanted to know if it could be done, and I said, ‘I don’t know why not,’” Morgan said.

Before Morgan poured in the liquid gold into the cast, he first added a half-teaspoon of Fischer’s ashes.

“We haven’t done this before, but we’re going to give it a shot,” he said. “It’s in remembrance. There’s a little bit of him in it.”

Today, Enderle often senses Fischer’s presence in her life.

“He taught me that no matter what, live every single moment to the fullest,” she said. “Be the very best person you can. All the time.”

She knows part of Fischer lives on inside her. If she ever needs a reminder, it’s on the fourth finger of her left hand.

“He’s with me always,” she said.

More health outreach boone.org/wellaware

Marathon Kids

Youth Sign Up To Make Fitness Part Of Their Summer Plans

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n Thursday, May 10, Boone Hospital Center and WELLAWARE launched the Kids on Track program. More than 500 kids registered and ran.

Each runner was given a packet with a water bottle and a marathon map. After each mile, runners can color in a piece of the track. When runners reach five mile markers, they can take their map to local businesses for prizes. HyVee, MC Sports, Shakespeare’s Pizza, B&B Bagel, The ARC, Dairy Queen, Subway, Empire Roller Rink and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Subs are participating sponsors.

The event kicked off with two laps around the lake at Stephens Lake Park, marking the first 1.2 miles.

“When the kids took off running, it was emotional to see so many kids and parents walking and running together,” said Jeff Zimmermann, health promotions manager. “It gave many of the staff helping goosebumps.”

In August, all the marathon runners will be invited back to the park to finish off their final mile and receive a T-shirt.

The program is free to all participants and intended to encourage regular, healthy activity for kids during the summer months.

“The best way to promote healthy lifestyles in our community is to start young,” Zimmermann said. “We are excited to bring this program to mid-Missouri, and it’s been great to see so many of our youth register. This will be an exciting summer of improving health in Columbia.”

By Shannon Whitney

BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER Summer 2012

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Donate today boone.org/foundation

A Garden For Healing Boone Hospital Center Celebrates The Completion Of The Healing Garden

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oone Hospital Center and the Boone Hospital Foundation recently completed work on a garden that serves as a place of calm and respite for patients and family members.

The hospital’s Healing Garden sits just to the north of the New Patient Tower that opened last year. The garden includes walking paths, benches, flowers, waterfalls and bridges. It was designed to be a peaceful sanctuary outside the hospital environment.

Hundreds of donors, staff and physicians attended celebrations on June 7-8 marking the garden’s completion.

Donations to the Boone Hospital Foundation made it possible to build the garden. In total, donors gave more than $220,000 for the project.

“It was a communitywide effort,” said Barbara Danuser, executive director of the Boone Hospital Foundation. “More than 280 individuals, families, businesses and organizations chose to help make this garden a reality.”

Many donors chose to leave dedications on the bricks, pillars and walkways they funded. Today, the garden is filled with their inspirational messages, such as “What matters most in life is what we do for others.”

The garden will also be used for musical performances throughout the summer. By Jacob Luecke 30

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(1) A MU jazz musician performs during the Healing Garden celebration. (2) A view from above as hospital staff gather for the garden’s opening. (3) This waterfall was donated by Columbia Orthopaedic Group (4) KOMU reporter Zheng Hwuang Chia with Boone Hospital Foundation Executive Director Barb Danuser.

(5) Flowers decorate a table during the celebration.

Summer 2012 BOONE HOSPITAL CENTER

Boone Hospital Center 1600 East Broadway Columbia, Mo 65201 573-815-8000

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