Providence
SPRING 2013
A guide to healthy living and quality care providencehealthonline.org
World-Class Kids’ Care Providence Tarzana and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles team up
Just for Women High-tech answers for your unique issues
Feeling Achy? Joint replacement may be the answer
The Age of e-Health
Discover an easier way to manage your health information online
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
Providence Affiliated Medical Groups
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank
Providence Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana
Providence TrinityCare Hospice
Thoughts from Your Chief Executives
Expanded Care for Local Kids
In this issue
6 High-Tech Help State-of-the-art techniques can solve common gynecological conditions.
8 A Joint Venture
Thanks to advances in joint replacement surgery, patients are back on their feet faster than ever.
In this edition of Providence Health, we introduce you to Providence Tarzana Medical Center’s new partnership with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, a program that advances the care we provide to children in the community. This is an exciting step for us and for families with young children who now have access to enhanced services in Providence Tarzana’s pediatrics department and pediatric intensive care unit. For those who have stepped into middle age and beyond but still want to get out and play, read how minimally invasive knee replacement surgery quickly put one patient back on the golf course. Specialists from Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers in Torrance and San Pedro and Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills describe new techniques in joint replacement and offer an overview of rehabilitation. We also provide a glimpse of treatment options for common gynecological
conditions, including both nonsurgical methods and minimally invasive procedures. A physician on staff at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank details new techniques to treat a variety of issues. And finally, we’re proud to announce that Michael Hunn, senior vice president and chief executive of Providence Health & Services, Southern California, will chair the March of Dimes’ March for Babies event scheduled for April 27 at Exposition Park. It is the March of Dimes’ 75th anniversary, and the march is expected to draw 17,000 people and raise $3 million for research and programs that help reduce premature births. Illustrating just how important this research has been over the decades, we feature two very healthy “graduates” of Providence neonatal intensive care units in the South Bay and the Valley. Read their stories on page 15. It’s heartwarming to know community support has helped us build some of the finest NICU facilities in Southern California.
10 World-Class Care for the
Community’s Children A new partnership between Providence Tarzana and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles expands care for kids.
IN EVERY ISSUE 3 Community Connections 14 Senior Health 15 Foundation Focus 16 Providence Medical Institute 17 Calendar of Classes and Events 2 | Providence Health
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Nancy Carlson Chief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro
Gerald Clute Chief Executive Providence Tarzana
Elizabeth Dunne Chief Executive Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance
Bill Gil Chief Executive Medical Foundations
Bernie Klein, MD Michael Rembis Chief Executive Chief Executive Providence Holy Providence Saint Joseph Cross
Terri Warren Chief Executive Providence TrinityCare Hospice
PROVIDENCE health Produced by Marketing & Communications at Providence Health & Services, Southern California
Content Editor: Colleen Ringer
Providence Health Editor-in-Chief: Nancy Franklin
Art Director: Maggie Conners
Providence Health Managing Editors: Patricia Aidem Jennifer Fagnani Connie Matthews Kirk McDonald Diana Reynar Natasha Shows
Production Technology Specialist: Sonia Washington
Contributors: Ann Beurskens Tiffany DeVall Brenda Goettemoeller Gail Malloy Juanita Perea Kathryn Sprague Ellen Wise
Imaging Specialist: Dane Nordine
The material in Providence Health is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please tear off the shipping label and mail it to Remove Me, P.O. Box 17910, Phoenix, AZ 85011 or go to acd.mcmurry.com.
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Community Connections
Our Mission As people of Providence, we reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service.
Diabetes Management Made Easier
Core Values
Compassion Caring for each person as part of our family.
Justice Working for a fair and equitable society.
Respect Affirming the God-given dignity and worth of each person.
Excellence Continually improving all that we do.
Stewardship Wisely caring for and sharing human, environmental and financial resources held in trust.
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Properly managed diabetes can help prevent serious health problems. That’s why Providence Health & Services, Southern California, is serious about providing accredited diabetes services. All five Providence hospitals offer extensive adult education to help those with diabetes better manage the disease. Additionally, Providence Tarzana and Providence Holy Cross Medical Centers serve a large gestational diabetes population. Providence Tarzana also offers diabetes education for children. Providence also takes diabetes education and treatment to the underserved in Southern California. The Get Out And Live (GOAL) program in the South Bay offers a nine-week diabetes health management program for uninsured adults with high blood glucose levels. “After our first year of GOAL, we’ve seen some really good outcomes with blood glucose levels,” says Juan Mendez, program manager at Providence Little Company of Mary Community Health Department.
Get the Support You Need To learn more about the diabetes services available in your area, visit california.providence.org.
In the San Fernando Valley, the Providence Chronic Disease Management Mobile Clinic makes stops in lowincome communities, says director Glenn A. Lopez, MD, MPH. In addition to treating diabetes, the mobile clinic focuses on hypertension, hyperlipidemia and depression. “Treating diabetes is treating all four of those things,” Dr. Lopez says. “We approach patients in a holistic manner.” In addition, the 34-foot mobile clinic trailer is roomy enough to house a chronic disease support group in each community. spring 2013 Providence Health | 3
Community Connections
Step Out for a Good Cause Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt founded the March of Dimes in 1938 to eradicate polio, the nonprofit has been a force for healthy babies. Providence Health & Services, Southern California, is proud to partner with this year’s March for Babies event as a gold sponsor. “As community hospitals, it’s important for us to stress the importance of prenatal care,” says Michael Hunn, senior vice president and chief executive for Providence’s Southern California region. “Partnering with the March of Dimes—the champion of prenatal care for the prevention of birth defects—is a natural fit.” The event raises funds for community programs, campaigns and research— much of which returns to the L.A. area in research grants, says Greg Forni, associate March for Babies director. “Last year we had 15,000 walkers. This year we’re looking for 17,000,” says Forni, who hopes that the event will raise $3 million in celebration of the March of Dimes’ 75th anniversary. This year’s walk departs April 27 from Exposition Park, 700 State Drive (in front of the Natural History Museum).
In an Emergency Facing an emergency or urgent health need? Providence has you covered. Not only are all Providence medical centers certified to handle heart attacks and strokes, but Providence Medical Institute offers urgent care locations that can handle everything from minor injuries and burns to broken bones. What’s more, Providence has partnered with iTriage, a free consumer healthcare application that answers: • What might I have? • Where should I seek treatment?
Sign Up Support healthy babies near and far by participating in this year’s March for Babies. Register online at marchforbabies.org.
On the Web Visit us online at california.providence.org Sick kid? You want the best for your child, from good nutrition to the best healthcare. On our website, you’ll find a free symptom checker, calculators, quizzes and an online health library. Fevers, the flu and head lice are just a few of the topics you can learn more about. In need of a joint replacement? Use our online Hip and Knee Pain Resource Centers to get your personalized action plan. Learn about pain basics, as well as treatment and surgical options. Have a question? Our free Health Resource Center is ready to respond. We have staff standing by to chat online at california.providence.org, by phone at 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) or by email at healing@providence.org. We’re here for you!
Created by two emergency room physicians, iTriage can be downloaded for free for iPhone or Android devices, or accessed online at iTriageHealth.com. Currently, the app, which offers a mobile checkin feature, is available for two Providence locations: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro’s emergency department and Providence Medical Institute Urgent Care Clinic in Manhattan Beach.
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Community Connections
Quality Counts When it comes to quality, Providence knows the awards on our walls are made more meaningful through our patients’ success stories. At Providence, we are proud to be recognized by several of the nation’s leading healthcare rating and accreditation organizations, including: •A merican Heart Association/American Stroke Association • The Joint Commission • Thomson Reuters’ 100 Top Hospitals • U.S.News & World Report •C alifornia Awards for Performance Excellence (CAPE) •C alifornia Hospital Assessment and Reporting Taskforce (CHART) Providence Holy Cross Medical Center is pursuing the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and sister hospitals are on track to follow Providence Holy Cross in obtaining Magnet® designation for nursing excellence. In 2013, we’re making room for more plaques on our walls—and looking forward to helping you stay well.
Find a Physician Become part of the Providence family. To search for a doctor near you, visit california.providence.org.
Save the Date for Providence High School’s Gala Don’t miss Providence High School’s biggest fundraiser of the year! The 2013 gala event will be held Saturday, April 20, at Lakeside Golf Club in Toluca Lake. This year’s honorees include Providence Health & Services, Southern California’s own Michael Hunn, and PHS alumni parents Jane and Barry Samson. Last year’s gala was a sold-out success, and this year’s event is sure to be a spectacular evening complete with complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dancing and live and silent auction items. If you are unable to attend, there is still an opportunity to bid on silent auction items by visiting biddingforgood.com/providencehigh. For more information, contact Vickie Bagwell at 818-846-8141, ext. 403 or vickie.bagwell@providencehigh.org, or visit providencehigh.org. Providence High School is thriving! You belong here!
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High-Tech Help Providence tackles gynecological conditions with advanced methods
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et’s face it, ladies: Reaching midlife brings a whole new set of health concerns and issues. And a new set of questions. Whether you’re facing menopause, painful, heavy periods, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis or—in the worst case— cancer, Providence offers answers and technologically advanced treatments to help you heal.
Smaller Surgeries, Bigger Benefits
Many gynecological conditions can be treated with a nonsurgical approach or minimally invasive surgery. “The diagnostic process is really important. It takes some time and patience to move through the process, but finding the root cause of symptoms is essential,” says Steven A. Rabin, MD, a gynecologist affiliated with Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.
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The good news is, treatments are much less invasive than they used to be. Dr. Rabin describes several of the diagnostic and treatment procedures offered at all Providence medical centers in the San Fernando Valley and South Bay. Hysteroscopy. This minimally invasive procedure, which does not require an incision, involves inserting a tiny telescope inside the uterus. “We have tools to remove fibroids with no external incision,” Dr. Rabin says. “Traditionally, women would have undergone a hysterectomy. This brings a major production down to an outpatient surgery.” Hormonal treatments. “Heavy menstrual bleeding can often be addressed with hormones,” Dr. Rabin says. Sometimes a woman’s estrogen/progesterone levels simply get out of balance. In other instances— with endometriosis, for example—the temporary
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deprivation of estrogen in conjunction with laparoscopic surgery can alleviate pain. Endometrial ablation. This minimally invasive procedure essentially cauterizes the lining of the uterus either by freezing it or burning it. Ablation can stop heavy bleeding associated with lining buildup. Laparoscopy. Usually performed through two tiny incisions, laparoscopy can address ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy, early stage endometriosis and other benign conditions. “Some of the benefits of laparoscopy include faster recovery, less bleeding and scarring, better visualization of the affected area, better technology and instruments designed for accuracy through these small incisions,” Dr. Rabin says. Vaginal or laparoscopically assisted hysterectomy. “Even though this is a major operation, it’s become a minor incision,” Dr. Rabin says, noting that hysterectomy is still a valid option for some women with pain, bleeding, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, based on what therapies worked or didn’t work.
What Robotic Technology Means for You
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance ushered in a new era of gynecological treatment in 2006 by launching a robotics program under the direction of Ramin Mirhashemi, MD. The da Vinci Si robotic system enables surgeons’ natural wrist, hand and finger movements to be translated into precise movements of micro-instruments. “I have done a couple thousand robotic cases,” Dr. Mirhashemi says, noting that the da Vinci robot offers the same level of
dexterity as you would find through an open incision. In stark contrast, however, to an open incision, the surgeon controls surgical instruments through four tiny incisions while a robotic camera “televises” the procedure on a 3-D, high-definition screen. “Because of the 3-D, high-acuity vision of the robotic camera, you’re able to have better accuracy. This leads to less pain, less scarring and faster recovery than with traditional, open surgery,” Dr. Mirhashemi says. “It’s an amazing technology.” Robotic surgery at both Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance and Providence Saint Joseph can be a treatment option for uterine, cervical or ovarian cancers. “Prior to the robotics program, we were using large incisions to treat cancer. This caused prolonged recovery, more pain and additional potential post-op complications,” Dr. Mirhashemi says. “Now, because of the smaller incisions, recovery is faster. Cancer patients are ready to start treatment—either radiation or chemotherapy—oftentimes within two weeks.” Robotic surgery also can be applied to advanced, benign gynecological conditions including large uterine fibroids, severe uterine prolapse (see page 14 for more) or stage 4 endometriosis. In some patients, robotic hysterectomy also is an option.
When It’s Cancer When your doctor says, “It’s cancer,” you have many choices to make. How will I tell my family? What type of treatment is best for me? What hospital will I trust? When at this crucial crossroad, you can have confidence in Providence’s reputation for excellence in gynecological cancer care. From advanced diagnostics to high-tech treatments such as robotic surgery and targeted radiation therapies, Providence offers exceptional care for the whole person—physically, emotionally and spiritually. Here are three reasons to consider Providence: • At Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, five-year survival rates in breast and ovarian cancer patients exceed national averages, and a partnership with Vantage Oncology offers access to cutting-edge radiation therapy. • The Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center has gained national recognition for programs designed to empower patients to partner in their healing. • All Providence medical centers are staffed with board-certified medical, surgical and radiation oncologists, as well as gynecologic oncologists.
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Get Relief Ready to kick pain and discomfort to the curb? We can help. For a referral to a gynecologist, call 1-888-HEALING or visit california.providence.org.
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A Joint Venture
Ready to trade in your aches and pains? Visit california.providence.org or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) to learn more about minimally invasive joint replacement today.
Hip and knee replacement patients get back on their feet faster thanks to advanced techniques
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self-described do-it-yourself kind of guy, Gary Smidderks suspected he was headed for joint replacement surgery when he no longer could get down on his knees to tinker with the sprinklers in his yard. “If I didn’t have something to use as a crutch to get up, I couldn’t get up,” says the 75-year-old Granada Hills resident. Finally, his discomfort encroached upon his favorite activity: golf. “I couldn’t walk and carry my clubs any longer. It put too much stress on my knees.” To learn more about knee replacement surgery, Smidderks attended a joint replacement lecture hosted by Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. There, he met Ramin Ganjianpour, MD, chief of the division of orthopedic surgery at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. Dr. Ganjianpour, who estimates he has performed thousands of minimally invasive joint replacements, had the experience Smidderks sought. In February 2012,
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Dr. Ganjianpour replaced Smidderks’ right knee. Now past the one-year mark in his recovery, Smidderks recently finished first in a golf tournament—while carrying his own bag—and he’s back to tinkering in his yard. He is even considering having his arthritic left knee replaced, too. “I’m glad I did it,” he says. “Within less than a year, I had more flexibility and substantially more strength.” Smidderks is just one of the many patients who have benefited from recent advancements in joint replacement surgery.
Continuum of Care
In this era of healthcare reform, fewer complications and improved clinical outcomes are going to drive reimbursement for both hospitals and physicians. Albert Reff, MD, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, already has taken the first step in ensuring this
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MODEL DEPICTED
Get Moving!
“Creating the best clinical outcomes doesn’t just happen in the operating room. It begins well before and continues well after that.” —Albert Reff, MD high quality by partnering with clinical staff to develop a team approach to joint replacement care. “Creating the best clinical outcomes doesn’t just happen in the operating room. It begins well before and continues well after that,” Dr. Reff says. “When you take a team approach to providing care, everyone is encouraged to contribute and innovate; to learn and promote the best practices across the whole patient experience continuum, rather than in singular, isolated segments. That helps promote the best outcomes, every time for every patient. With that kind of program, you can show consistently strong outcomes.”
Cutting-Edge Techniques
First, before joint replacement surgery is discussed, each patient’s case is reviewed to ensure that nonsurgical remedies have been tried. “When we first encounter patients, we make sure they have tried conservative treatments that might give enough relief to make them happy and content,” Dr. Reff says. When conservative measures fail, joint replacement surgery may be the next option. Providence orthopedic surgeons such as Drs. Reff and Ganjianpour perform minimally invasive hip and knee replacements using newer techniques that utilize both smaller incisions on the outside and less cutting into muscles and ligaments on the inside. “This is less painful for the patient and more cosmetically appealing,” Dr. Ganjianpour says. In fact, minimally invasive joint replacement results in: • Less post-operative pain • Faster soft tissue healing • Less scarring • Quicker recovery Smidderks speaks candidly to the last point. “To put it bluntly, I’m 75 years old. I didn’t want to spend one-tenth of the rest of my life recovering from knee surgery. I wanted to get active and back to life.”
Improved Pain Control
Dr. Reff points out that pain is often a concern for patients, and he incorporates pain control techniques as part of the integrated continuum of care approach. Pain medications administered prior to surgery can calm nerve pathways, making it easier post-surgery to manage pain. “As a result of this early pain intervention, many patients are able to manage their entire post-operative stay without narcotics,” he says. “The goal for the patient is to be able to have pain relief and resume as many normal activities as possible.” Modern pain-management strategies are as key to quick rehabilitation as are minimally invasive incisions, says Shaun Chandran, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Providence Little
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Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro. “There is a period of time after surgery where the patient may experience a high level of pain. If you get rid of that pain, people are willing to do more in their rehab,” he says. “How we manage pain has really changed joint replacement surgery, making it a procedure that more patients are willing to undergo.”
State-of-the-Art Technology
Minimally invasive joint replacement also has ushered in an era of special instruments and technology. “Special instrumentations allow for optimal placement and performance of the joint,” Dr. Ganjianpour says. At Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance, Dr. Reff utilizes computer navigation, which he likens to GPS. “This means greater accuracy in each incision and can help result in a better-aligned joint,” he says.
The Key to Making a Full Recovery Choosing the right outpatient rehabilitation setting plays an enormous role in how quickly patients regain strength, flexibility and pain-free everyday function after joint replacement surgery. Providence Health & Services, Southern California, is positioned to help. “Our focus is to restore normal or full function,” says Tad Norton, director of rehabilitation services at Providence Tarzana Medical Center. Providence boasts orthopedic-certified specialists who use a team-based approach to therapy. “We coordinate to see what the patient needs and then work toward it,” says Shelly Kormondy, physical therapy supervisor at Providence Little Company of Mary San Pedro. Benefits of choosing Providence include: • Coordinated approach between physical therapy (strengthening exercises) and occupational therapy (help with everyday activities) • Rehabilitation team certified in orthopedics • Treatment for issues related to swelling • Coordination of care through electronic medical records
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World-Class Care for the Community’s Children Hospital partnership brings first-rate care closer to home for local children
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hen your child needs hospitalization, you want to place your precious little one in the most capable hands possible—which means care provided by the brightest medical minds available. Providence Tarzana Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles have created a new partnership to bring world-class pediatric care closer to home for children and their families in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities. The goal is to provide greater access to inpatient and outpatient services and subspecialty care to children and adolescents. “This partnership builds on a history of collaboration and makes it possible for young patients to be closer to their homes and families while receiving the pediatric expertise offered by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles,” says Gerald Clute, chief executive of Providence Tarzana. Dale Surowitz, the hospital’s former chief executive and now regional chief operating officer for Providence Health & Services, Southern California, believes this makes Providence Tarzana’s pediatric program the premier healthcare program for children providencehealthonline.org
in the Valley area. “We believe there is a compelling community need and support to expand and enhance the scope of children’s healthcare services in the Valley, and the combined expertise within these two organizations is doing just that,” Surowitz says. Providence Tarzana has long offered excellent pediatric care with around-the-clock coverage by board-certified pediatric hospitalists and pediatric intensivists. In addition, the emergency department has received Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics (EDAP) certification from Los Angeles County. But Providence Tarzana is eager to increase its already strong roster of pediatric specialties with additional coverage available through the affiliation with Children’s Hospital. The affiliation is equally beneficial to Children’s Hospital. “We have a strong desire to extend services beyond our Los Angeles campus to improve access to specialized pediatric care for families living in the Valley,” says Richard Cordova, FACHE, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital. “Innovative affiliations like this are an excellent way to spread the reach of healthcare specialists.”
Making Miracles Happen Every Day
Samantha Levy is one parent who can attest to the exceptional care provided by both Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and spring 2013 Providence Health | 11
Providence Tarzana Medical Center. Her triplets were just 5 weeks old when little Elijah began vomiting, a condition that continued a day-and-a-half before the new mother headed to the emergency department. Levy is a nurse and former Providence Tarzana Medical Center employee. She knew the hospital had a high-quality, seven-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU.) And even if it wasn’t the closest ED to her home, if her son needed a higher level of care, she didn’t want him to be transferred. Her instincts were right. Eli had a blockage of the pylorus, which is at the base of the stomach, and needed surgery. Fortunately for the Levys, pediatric surgeon Akemi Kawaguchi, MD, who was on staff at both Providence Tarzana and the renowned Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, was available to perform the procedure. Today, Eli is a busy 10-month-old who has no problem keeping up with brothers Aiden and Noah. Dr. Kawaguchi performed an open pyloromyotomy to repair the tiny muscle that had caused an obstruction to Eli’s digestion. His condition isn’t uncommon in infants and is marked by a thickening of the pylorus, a muscular band of tissue that controls the exit of food and gastric juices from the stomach. 12 | Providence Health
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“The nurses were wonderful at Providence Tarzana, and his care was outstanding,” Levy says. “He was there for five days, and when he needed follow-up with Dr. Kawaguchi, everything went well.” When Levy learned that Providence Tarzana and Children’s Hospital had formed a partnership in January to manage pediatrics and the pediatric intensive care unit at Providence Tarzana, she was happily surprised. After all, you never know what kind of care you’re going to need with three little boys running about. Knowing a premier program is now serving the San Fernando Valley and surrounding communities gives parents the confidence to know the best medical care is nearby should their children ever need it. “Honestly, I’ve always thought the pediatrics department at Providence Tarzana is excellent,” Levy says. “Now it’s even better to know they partner with Children’s Hospital. It reaffirms what I felt about the level of skill and the quality. It makes me even more comfortable as a parent.”
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Providence Tarzana
Pediatricians across the Providence family are enthusiastic about the affiliation with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Pediatric patients already are referred to Providence Tarzana, which is a designated pediatrics hub with California Children’s Services providencehealthonline.org
(CCS) certification for pediatrics, pediatric surgery and neonatal surgery. Providence Tarzana also is expanding its PICU to the planned eight-bed Mozilo Family Foundation PICU to pursue CCS certification for that unit. Now, when pediatric patients are referred to Providence Tarzana, they also will have access to the additional expertise offered by Children’s Hospital. “It’s a great time for us to bolster the quality and the spectrum of services we provide to the children of the San Fernando Valley,” says Cesar Chavarria, MD, a pediatric intensivist, medical director of the Providence Tarzana PICU and director of the TEDDY (Tarzana Doctors Dedicated to the Young) program. “This new partnership is going to help us enhance access to subspecialty support from Children’s Hospital’s team of physicians.” According to Dr. Chavarria, Providence Tarzana already shared many specialties with Children’s Hospital, and others are now included to provide a full spectrum of care including anesthesiology, radiology, cardiology, pulmonology, orthopedics, neurology, urology, neurosurgery, otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat), general surgery, hematology, oncology and gastroenterology. What’s more, this partnership strengthens another one formed a year ago, teaming Children’s Hospital with Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center’s Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center to treat young cancer patients. The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) oncology program treats patients ages 18 to 39, a population that has been historically under-diagnosed and underserved. This innovative program is designed to increase awareness, availability of services, diagnosis and treatment for adolescents and young adults with cancer.
The Best of Both Worlds
The skilled staff at Providence Tarzana, which includes pediatric nurses with more than 25 years of experience, remains in place. Some specialists from Children’s Hospital Los Angeles are joining the team, Dr. Chavarria says. Clinical staff can receive advanced education through joint training programs, thus increasing clinical expertise. Plus, Dr. Chavarria adds, the affiliation allows physicians from both hospitals to admit patients to Providence Tarzana. “Children’s Hospital is the best place for certain things, but there are advantages to being in a smaller hospital like Providence Tarzana, such as expedited care and shorter stays—but still with very good outcomes,” he explains. “This partnership really is going to be the best of both worlds.”
When the Plan Changes Sometimes things don’t go according to plan. If your baby is born too early or needs specialized care, Providence’s neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) offer exceptional newborn care with the latest technological advances. All Providence NICUs are Level 3—meaning they can care for the smallest and sickest babies. Team members also share information on what treatments and technologies work best. “We have a Providence Neonatal Excellence Council, where we work on getting the best equipment systemwide, and we collaborate on how to offer the best, most excellent NICU care possible,” says Diane Dale, RNC-NIC, C-NPT, MN, NICU clinical nurse specialist at Providence Tarzana Medical Center. Here is a snapshot of each Providence NICU.
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Providence Little Company of Mary Torrance: This 27-bed, single-family room NICU fosters privacy, plus customized sound, temperature and lighting that create optimal conditions for each baby. Providence Saint Joseph: This 20-bed NICU utilizes innovative bassinets called Giraffes, which convert from an open table warmer into a soundproof incubator/ isolette at the touch of a button. It also offers donor breast milk for premature babies. Providence Tarzana: Also utilizing Giraffe technology and offering donor breast milk, this 21-bed NICU ranks in the top 25 percent for neonatal outcomes nationally. Providence Holy Cross: This 12-bed family-centered NICU features private patient bays and is staffed by the San Fernando Valley’s only nursing team with the prestigious nursing ANCC Magnet Recognition®.
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Senior Health
Ready for Relief? Providence experts offer real solutions for urinary incontinence
Let’s face it, bladder problems can be embarrassing, uncomfortable and lifestyle-limiting. The good news is that summoning the courage to talk to your doctor can bring relief. Here’s a rundown of common bladder problems and how they can be treated.
Urge Incontinence
What it is: Also called overactive bladder, this condition causes frequent urination. Signs you have it: You scout out any new room to find the closest bathroom in case you have a strong urge to go. You often can’t make it to the bathroom in time. How it’s treated: Treatments include pelvic floor exercises, diet, medication and biofeedback therapy to “reset” pelvic floor muscles, says Michael Hyman, MD, chief urologist at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and also on staff at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. The next step may be neuromodulation. Jennifer Mehdizadeh, MD, a urologist at Providence Tarzana Medical Center, offers peripheral tibial nerve stimulation and sacral nerve stimulation, the latter of which is delivered through an implantable device. “By doing neuromodulation, you can return that nerve to a pattern of signaling that helps the bladder get under control,” she says.
Stress Incontinence
What it is: The most common type of urinary incontinence in women, this condition causes you to leak urine when “stress” or pressure is placed on the bladder. Signs you have it: You have an accident when you exercise, sneeze, cough or laugh. How it’s treated: Sometimes the ligaments and structures that hold the urethra in place lose integrity. A sling can be inserted to keep the urethra in place. “We’re talking about what is usually a 25-minute outpatient procedure that requires a small incision and a small number of stitches,” Dr. Hyman says.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
What it is: The uterus, bladder or other organ falls out of normal anatomical position. Signs you have it: You may have incontinence, frequent urinary infections, pressure, pain or even a bulge in the vaginal area. How it’s treated: “There is a range of treatments available— including mesh repair, pelvic floor physical therapy, the insertion of a supportive device called a pessary or the use of biologic material to re-suspend the prolapsed organ,” Dr. Mehdizadeh says.
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Dr. Mehdizadeh and Dr. Hyman urge women to learn about these options and speak to their physicians to help determine the best treatment for them because each case is different. “These are conditions you don’t have to live with,” Dr. Hyman says.
Regain Control
If you’re experiencing incontinence or bladder discomfort, visit california.providence.org or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) for a referral to a urologist.
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Foundation Focus
Our Tiniest Patients Inspire Big Gifts Support of the Providence Foundations helps critically ill infants have a fighting chance The Ferreyra family.
All it took was a sneeze. Born five weeks prematurely, little Harry Hissrich breezed through his first 24 hours of life. His Apgar scores were normal, and he weighed a healthy 5 pounds, 7 ounces. But a simple sneeze triggered a “dusky spell,” or newborn apnea, in which Harry stopped breathing. “He went from normal color to pink to red to blue in seconds,” says his mom, Lauren Hissrich. Nurses whisked Harry down the hall to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where Harry’s father, Mike, watched helplessly. “Mike is a television producer,” Lauren says. “He had worked on the first four seasons of ER, and he Harry Hissrich, with his said it felt like an episode of parents, Lauren and Mike. ER—watching Harry through the window of the nursery.” Harry remained in the Raising Hope open table warmer NICU for seven days while specialized Hope is a powerful into a soundproof Help give a critically ill infant staff managed his oxygen levels and taught word for parents incubator at the a head start today. Visit the Hissriches how to change diapers, of preemies touch of a button, providencepowerofgiving.org bottle feed and burp their son among the and critically ill specialized NICU and click on the foundation of your menagerie of wires and tubes. infants. Hope is stethoscopes, choice to make a donation. Harry is now a happy, healthy 2-yearsomething you offer SiPAP machines for old who loves to chase his cats, climb when you support the ventilation support, and and color. Providence Foundations, specialized refrigerators Stories like this unfold in Providence which ensure high-risk and warmers specially NICUs daily. In the South Bay at Providence newborns have the highest designed for breast milk donations Little Company of Mary Medical Center quality care possible. that ward off life-threatening disease Torrance, for example, Jennifer Ferreyra’s A few of the items the Providence in preemies. daughter Emma spent three weeks in the Foundations have purchased for the The Hissrich family had a hand in NICU following her mother’s emergency Providence Level 3 NICUs (located at that last one. “After our experience, C-section. “We took it hour by hour, day by Providence Saint Joseph, Providence Holy we were interested in personally doing day,” says Jennifer, whose daughter is now 9. Cross, Providence Tarzana and Providence something for the NICU,” Lauren says. “The nurses were always willing to calm our Little Company of Mary Torrance) include “We purchased a piece of equipment that fears on nights when we were losing hope.” high-tech bassinets that convert from an is saving lives.”
Support the Tiniest Patients
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Providence Medical Institute
MyChart is Your Chart Providence Medical Institute offers a new way to manage your health online
You’ve connected with colleagues on LinkedIn and old friends on Facebook. You’ve offered your two cents on message boards, joined an online weight loss community and uploaded videos via YouTube. Maybe it’s time to get connected to your health. As a Providence Medical Institute patient, you now have access to MyChart—a free, online service that connects you to your health record and to your care providers. Using MyChart, you can: • View test results. • Access your health summary from the MyChart electronic health record. • Schedule medical appointments. • Request prescription renewals. • Email your physician directly through a secure, encrypted Internet connection. • Check account balance and pay bills directly.
Efficiency in Action
Kathryn Sprague, regional director of customer relationship management and community networks for Providence Health & Services, Southern California, recently gave MyChart a spin— from a patient perspective. During a routine physical, Sprague’s physician asked her if she wanted to enroll in MyChart. She enrolled, and quickly went on to the business of her day, deciding to explore MyChart’s bells and whistles when she had time. The bells and whistles found her first. “That afternoon, I got an email that MyChart had been updated. I had two X-rays that morning, and the results were already posted,” she says, adding that if she had questions or concerns, MyChart allows her to email her physician directly for answers. Through MyChart, your health care is safeguarded and accessible in one place; you can access your information from wherever you are using your MyChart account. No more carrying around a folder with past test results. No more loose papers stuffed into your purse with blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride numbers. No more remembering to call the doctor’s office for mammogram results.
Is MyChart for Me? Have questions about MyChart? Call the MyChart Help Desk at 1-877-569-7768 or email MyChart customer support at MyChartCustomerSupport@providence.org.
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“From a record-keeping standpoint, it’s amazing,” Sprague says. “And obviously, as a patient, I want to know that I can access my medical information so my specialists and my primary care doctor all have access to the same information. And I can also link to my family’s MyChart accounts so I can manage their appointments and medical records online.” MyChart acknowledges more than just the fact that patients lead busy lives, says Diana Reynar, marketing director for Providence Medical Institute. “It gives patients quick, easy access to their doctors’ offices and their information without having to wait on hold. It offers accessibility to medical information at their fingertips,” she says.
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Calendar April–June
Community Classes and Events From support groups to fitness classes, our Providence medical centers provide the programs you need to live healthfully. For more information on any of the classes, events and screenings listed below, visit providenceclasses.org or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464). Not all classes available at all medical centers. Support Groups Support groups offer patients and families a chance to share experiences of learning and healing. For those who have experienced health issues, we offer the following support groups: Alzheimer’s/Other Dementia* *Spanish-language group available Bereavement Better Breathers Club Breast Cancer Cancer Cardiac Rehabilitation Caregivers Congestive Heart Failure Diabetes Early Memory Loss Grief Heart Disease Liver and Pancreatic Cancer
Live Wires* *For Parkinson’s disease patients who have undergone deep brain stimulation Lymphedema Osteoporosis Stress Reduction Stroke Survivors After Suicide Traumatic Brain Injury Valley Pumpers Women’s Cancer Fitness Arthritis Friendly Exercise Program Chair Exercises for Strengthening and Flexibility Exercise Safely with Guidance & Support Get Physical Lively Lungs Tone Up Tuesdays Burbank Mall Walkers
Childbirth and Parent Education
South Bay Galleria Gaitors Walking Program Call 818-847-4535 for more information. Wellness classes and screenings Asthma Education Nutrition Roundtable Outpatient Nutritional Counseling Pre-Operation Total Joint Replacement Education Pulmonary Education Program Pulmonary Rehab Self-Training Diabetes classes Basic Diabetes Education Class Diabetes 101 & Self-Care Diabetes and Pregnancy Diabetes Self-Management Program Healthy Living with Diabetes Individual Sessions with a Diabetes Specialist
All Providence medical centers offer a full schedule of classes to prepare parents-to-be for pregnancy, birth and parenting. For more information or to download a copy of our 2013 schedule of classes, visit providence.org/baby or call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464).
THINKSTOCK
Prepare for birth Maternity Tour Big Kids and Babies Sibling Maternity Tour Prepare for baby The Amazing Newborn Anesthesia and Cesarean Section Baby Care Breastfeeding Childbirth Preparation Lamaze Classes* *Spanish-language classes available Childbirth Preparation Intensive Course, one-day intensive class Childbirth Refresher Course Parents Expecting Multiples Preparing for Your Newborn, four-part series Transition to Parenthood providencehealthonline.org
Classes about baby Baby Signs Basics, baby sign language for hearing babies Infant Safety and CPR, a class for expectant and new parents; newborn to age 1 Infant/Child Safety and CPR*, a class for parents who have children from newborn to age 8 *Spanish-language classes available
Support Groups Breastfeeding MommyWise, a weekly support group for new mothers and their infants Perinatal Loss
After baby is born Safe Sitter/Super Sitter, a program that teaches young adolescents how to care for children Sign, Say and Play Continuing Program, six-week baby sign language program
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Take control of your breast health Schedule your low-cost mammogram today. Weekend and evening appointments available. Location: All Providence hospitals Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) YOGA, MEDITATION AND MORE Numerous classes are open to the public, including yoga, acupressure, meditation, massage, qi gong, acupuncture, tai chi, therapeutic touch, sonic healing and guided imagery. Meets: Various days and times. Visit triumphovercancer.org for a full schedule. Location: All classes held at the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, 181 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank Info: 818-748-4701
Online Calendar Go to providenceclasses.org for class descriptions, times and locations, and to register.
Featured Events Scrapbooking: Capturing the moments Building memories through pictures, words and stories gives families the chance to relive joyous events and special moments. This workshop nurtures self-esteem, fosters friendships and strengthens families. Plus, it is a wonderful tool for reminiscing. Meets: Every Friday, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Location: Leeza’s Care Connection, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 1-South Tower, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank Info: 818-847-3686 18 | Providence Health
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Are You At risk for colon cancer? One in 20 people will develop colon cancer in their lifetime. Don’t become a number. Schedule your colonoscopy. Location: All Providence hospitals Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) Weight-loss surgery Are you ready to restart your life? Learn more about our minimally invasive options, including Lap-Band, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve procedures. Location: Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank Info: Visit restartlife.org.
Childbirth preparation Learn what to expect during labor, delivery and recovery. Certified childbirth educators also will share breathing and relaxation techniques. Meets: Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays; 6:30–9 p.m. Location: Providence Tarzana Medical Center, 18321 Clark St., Tarzana Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) YOGA Tune Up® Move through a distinctive set of poses and exercises to build strength, relieve pain and stress, and improve balance. Meets: Tuesdays, 10:30–11:45 a.m.; Thursdays, 2–3:15 p.m. Location: Providence Holy Cross Health Center at Porter Ranch, 19950 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills Fee: $15 per class Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) Meditation Learn to use breathing techniques and guided imagery to reduce stress and combat depression. Meets: Tuesdays, noon–12:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 3:30–4 p.m. Location: Providence Holy Cross Health Center at Porter Ranch, 19950 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills Fee: $7 per class Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464)
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Pre-Operation Total joint replacement education This class covers everything you need to know to prepare for joint replacement surgery. Get instructions for the night before and learn how to prepare your home for recovery. Meets: Thursdays; 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, 4101 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Info: 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) Cardiac Support Group Cardiac patients, family and friends meet to provide mutual support and discuss solutions to common problems. Meets: Once a month from 5–6:30 p.m.; call for specific dates. Location: Providence Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Center, 20929 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance Info: 310-303-7070 Diabetes self-management program This comprehensive approach to diabetes self-management education will help you gain control of your diabetes, improve your health and help you feel your very best. The program is customized to meet your unique needs. Doctor referral required to schedule an appointment. Location: Providence Breeze Medical Plaza, 5315 Torrance Blvd., Torrance Info: 310-543-7280
Burbank Mall Walkers Join the Burbank Mall Walkers for information that can help your health. Presentations include: April 10–“Healthy Bones,” by Boyd Flinders, MD
May 8–“Open Forum,” by Renata Stankovic, MD June 12–“Healthy Bones,” by Boyd Flinders, MD All classes are from 9–10 a.m. Location: Burbank Town Center, Food Court, third level, 201 E. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank Info: 818-847-4535 Galleria Gaitors walking club Join the Galleria Gaitors for group exercises and quarterly presentations. Galleria doors open to members at 7 a.m., seven days a week. Applications are available at Guest Services, first level, in the Nordstrom wing. Meets: Thursdays, 8 a.m. Location: South Bay Galleria, Food Court, third level, 1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach Info: 310-371-7546
Save a Life! Donate Blood! Blood can be the most gracious gift you ever give. By donating today, you can save lives in the future. We need your help! WHERE: Providence Blood Donor Center, 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank WHEN: Monday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; Thursday, 12:30–7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 818-847-4433 or visit psjmc.givesblood.org.
Monthly CPR & Safety Classes • Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers • Basic Life Support, Part 2: Skills Evaluation • Heartsaver CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) • Heartsaver First Aid with CPR and AED (automated external defibrillator) • Heartsaver, Part 2: Skills Evaluation • Infant/Child CPR • Super Sitter Call 1-888-HEALING (432-5464) or visit providenceclasses.org to register.
THINKSTOCK
Bridges Psychiatric Outpatient Day Program This program offers psychiatry, group therapy and socialization. A wide range of topics is covered, from depression and anxiety to coping skills and healthy relationships. Meets: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Location: Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro, 1300 W. 7th St., San Pedro Info: 310-241-4325
AARP Driver Safety programs This two-part AARP/Driver Safety Program is for people 55 or older who want to reduce their automobile insurance premiums. You must attend both four-hour sessions to receive your AARP certificate. $12 for AARP members; $14 for nonmembers. Meets: April 10 and 17; May 8 and 15; June 12 and 19; 1–5 p.m. Location: Providence Occupational Health Center, 3413 Pacific Ave., Burbank Reservations: 818-847-4535
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Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center 501 S. Buena Vista St. Burbank, CA 91505-4809
Non Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Providence Health
TIME.
It’s the most important factor when you’re having a stroke.
How quickly you receive a diagnosis and treatment can make the difference in how fast, and how well, you rebound from the devastating effects of stroke. All five Providence Medical Centers provide emergency room treatment and rehabilitation services that follow national guidelines and standards for stroke care — standards proven to significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients. That dedication to quality has been recognized with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” stroke quality achievement awards. And all five hospitals have also received certification from The Joint Commission as Advanced Primary Stroke Centers, placing us among the top 5% in the nation for stroke treatment. Visit us at california.providence.org for a FREE stroke risk assessment or call 1-888-HEALING for a physician referral.
PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTERS Providence Holy Cross Medical Center Mission Hills
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance
Providence Affiliated Medical Groups
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Burbank
Providence Tarzana Medical Center Tarzana