Healthy Times

December • 2014

Thank You

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After 38 years ― and a few months ― as an internal medicine physician, medical director, and health system president, Todd Sorensen, MD, MS, is set to hand over the reins as health system president and CEO on January 2.

Also inside: Less Invasive Approach to Back Surgery Alliance Graduate Joins Surgical Group Air Link’s New Aircraft New Clinic Opens to Conduct Sleep Studies

Cover Story...

Sorensen Bids Farewell to Regional West After 38 years ― and a few months ― as an internal medicine physician, medical director, and health system president, Todd Sorensen, MD, MS, can tell you how many times he tied his necktie for work (about 9,000, as a matter of fact).

That’s the kind of thinking that lends itself to a career in internal medicine: “A typical internist likes to solve puzzles and figure out the basis of one’s disease. He/she likes to come up with differential diagnoses and enjoys thinking through complex issues.”* Anyone who knows Todd Sorensen, knows the description fits him to a ‘T.’ Dr. Sorensen spent his career thinking through complex issues as varied as how to treat uncontrolled diabetes; how to incorporate electronic health records into a small, paper-driven medical practice; how to build a 750-mile fiber optic network in rural Nebraska; and the mechanics of finetuning his personal Formula Ford racecar.

After he retires as president and CEO of Regional West Health Services on January 2, he will finally have time to devote to a complex issue that he hopes will positively impact health care in the future ―- working with policymakers to help them better understand medicine.

“Having practiced for 20 years, then spending five years with a payer, and now as a hospital executive, provides for an uncommon perspective,” said Sorensen. “I’d like to try to make a difference.”

Sorensen was raised in Scottsbluff and moved back to his hometown after earning a medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Omaha, and completing an internal medicine residency at Presbyterian Medical Center, Denver. In 1976, with partners Terry Haney,

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MD, and Bill Seiffert, MD, he opened the first internal medicine practice west of Kearney and devoted his time to the diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases.

After 10 years of medical practice, Sorensen began to develop an interest in the management side of health care. Within three years, he enrolled in a master’s degree program in administrative medicine at the University of Wisconsin at Madison. In 1995, he became the medical director of Regional Care, Inc., where he helped develop a provider network and regional health plan while continuing to see patients part-time. Five years later, he was asked to serve as interim president of Regional West Health Services; a position that became full-time four months after that.

As president, Dr. Sorensen worked with Poudre Valley Health System President Rulon Stacy to develop a unique affiliation agreement through which Regional West Health Services became a 12 percent owner of Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, Colo. The investment paid off in several ways; most important ― by giving Regional West health care providers a close connection with specialized providers of heart and trauma care. The affiliation assures the continued relationship with cardiology providers from northern Colorado, and it contributes to quicker access to care in emergency situations. It has also had a positive financial impact on Regional West Health Services.

A much less visible, but perhaps even more valuable achievement was the charter of the Mountain State Health Care Risk Retention Group. In 2004, Regional West joined 20 other hospital systems in forming a group to control costs and risks associated with liability insurance. Regional West’s hospital-wide safety initiative is an offshoot of the

“Our community and, indeed, our entire region has benefited from the contributions of many exceptional families. Two generations of the Sorensen family have distinguished themselves for their exemplary leadership in health and health care. We have all greatly benefited from their many years of service and dedication to our area.”

-- H. H. Kosman Health Services Board of Directors l President

program. The safety initiative, which involves every employee and provider, has changed the culture at Regional West so that everyone is keenly aware of safety practices and the need to put safety first.

“This is the thing that means the most to me,” said Dr. Sorensen. “It has quietly been very, very effective at improving patient safety at Regional West and reducing the possibility of harmful mistakes.”

The development of the fiber network is another accomplishment for Dr. Sorensen. Regional West worked with members of the Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network to secure funding to install about 750 miles of fiber connecting all of the hospitals in the panhandle and dozens of affiliated clinics. It has created one of the most advanced and robust medical technology networks in Nebraska. The system has paved the way for advanced medical imaging technology, telemedicine, and video conferencing that will be important for decades to come.

“The project includes fiber available for any business or industry to use as well, and will have a positive long-term impact on economic development in the region,” said Sorensen.

As president, Sorensen oversaw the development and implementation of the Physicians Clinic.

In 2008, Regional West Health Services formed the Physicians Clinic as a new corporation; combining eight independent medical practices into a single organization.

It is structured similarly to the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic. Now, with 27 clinic sites, Regional West Physicians Clinic has the organizational structure and resources

necessary to recruit physicians, advanced nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to the medical center.

“Each practice had its own culture and processes, as did Regional West, and they all have to blend into a common, effective, and productive culture,” said Sorensen. “We have definitely made progress, but we still have work to do in operating and governing everything as a system instead of a collection of parts.”

Nonetheless, Sorensen said the Physicians Clinic concept was the right thing for Regional West. Physician recruitment is the key to a strong health care system, and is a particular challenge in rural areas such as ours. Development of the Physicians Clinic has enabled the medical center to recruit excellent providers.

Dr. Sorensen and his wife Kiki plan to stay in Scottsbluff.

He will have more time to ride his Harley, race his sports car, play the piano, and enjoy himself, but his real goal is to write about relatively recent medical history; the past 150 to 170 years.

“Our health care system is good at keeping people alive but not so good at making them well. Our system is not designed for people with chronic disease, but that’s what we are dealing with. We need to be realistic about what we have, why we have it, and how to change it,” said Sorensen.

Clearly, it’s a complex issue made for a retired internal medicine physician.

*www.med.unc.edu/imig/about

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Our Neurosurgeons Omar Jimenez, MD Dr. Jimenez is a graduate of George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He completed a surgical internship at the University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, and completed a neurosurgery residency and a neurosurgery spine fellowship at Jackson Memorial Hospital at the University of Miami in Miami, Fla. He also completed a brain tumor research fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md. Dr. Jimenez is board certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgeons.

He is the author of a dissection manual about skull base surgery and has co-authored chapters for two other surgical manuals. He has also contributed to numerous research publications.

Raqeeb Haque, MD Dr. Haque (pronounced Hawk) received his undergraduate education at Harvard University. He earned his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his neurological surgery residency at Columbia University Medical Center. He then completed

Omar Jimenez, MD & Raqeeb Haque, MD

a fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery at Northwestern University.

Dr. Haque is the recipient of numerous awards in the field of neurosurgery, including the Mayfield Clinical Research Award, Leksell Radiosurgery Award, and Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation Spine and Peripheral Nerve Section Research Fellowship. He is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Medical Scholar and has co-authored several exemplary peer-reviewed scientific articles and publications.

Bringing You “Back” Anticipation of spinal surgery is often the worst part of the entire process. To ease patient and family concerns, Regional West Physicians Clinic-Neurosurgery, in partnership with Regional West Medical Center, now offers a new concept in patient orientation called Bringing You “Back.”

One week in advance of spinal surgery and in conjunction with pre-admit testing, patients and their families are invited to the hospital for a healthy lunch and an opportunity to learn about the Spine Center’s multi-disciplinary approach to spine care.

Patients get to meet the nurses and staff who will provide care, see the nursing unit where he or she will be hospitalized, learn and have the opportunity to ask questions about post-surgery expectations and rehabilitation, and complete paperwork and patient education so they’ll be ready for surgery.

Bringing You “Back” has been very well received by spinal surgery patients since its introduction.

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A Less Invasive, More Comforting Approach to Back Surgery Raqeeb Haque, MD, Regional West’s new neurosurgeon, trained and worked at several of the country’s most elite medical centers, but it was Regional West that really impressed him and swayed his decision to join neurosurgeon Omar Jimenez, MD, at Regional West Physicians Clinic-Neurosurgery.

“Regional West is pretty amazing. I’ve never seen a hospital with both surgery and an inpatient Acute Rehabilitation Unit on site,” said Dr. Haque. “Every service a patient needs is located right here on our campus.

They can be seen in our office, get an MRI, have their lab work done, and see a pain specialist without leaving the building. That’s extremely helpful to our patients, many of whom are in a great deal of pain.”

who specialize in pain medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and orthopaedics, to make sure that patients receive the best care possible. After assessing the patient’s condition, the patient may be referred for conservative treatment to avoid unnecessary back surgery. If surgery is the patient’s best option, both Dr. Haque and Dr. Jimenez will perform the procedure.

The advantage to this approach is that every spine surgery patient gets the benefit of the skill and experience of two fellowship-trained neurosurgeons.

Better yet, both neurosurgeons are highly skilled in minimal incision spine surgery: repairing ruptured disks in the neck and back, and fusing the vertebrae, if necessary, through an incision about one inch long.

Inspired by the quality of the hospital staff, as well as the convenience and efficiency of the Regional West Medical Center campus, Dr. Haque moved from the east coast to join Dr. Jimenez in transforming the neurosurgery practice into a spine center. The two doctors aspire to establish a Spine Center of Excellence at Regional West.

Minimally invasive surgery is so refined that there is almost no blood loss (usually less than a tablespoon), and little impact on muscles and nerves. As a result, patients get back on their feet quickly, and back to doing what they enjoy with fewer complications than with traditional back surgery.

“We have the facilities, the advanced technology, and the skilled providers to develop a comprehensive spine care center,” said Dr. Jimenez. “We have the only O-arm surgical imaging system in the region, and specialists in all the patient care disciplines that complement spinal surgery.”

In addition to their skill in minimally invasive surgery for cervical and lumbar ruptured disks, Drs. Jimenez and Haque specialize in the surgical treatment of neurological conditions ranging from spinal and brain tumors, spinal stenosis, aneurysm, and carpal tunnel, to complex trauma surgery. Both neurosurgeons serve on Regional West’s trauma team.

Drs. Jimenez and Haque take a team approach to spine care, working closely with other physicians

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R egional West Foundation

Education Center Open H House Set for January Regional West Foundation will host a public open house in January to unveil one of the major projects funded through its Campaign for Continuing Excellence ― the new Sorensen Education Center.

Located at the east end of the upper lobby at Regional West Medical Center’s main entrance, the education center is tucked away in a space that was built in 2001 as part of the new main entrance, but was never completed.

Because Regional West Medical Center lacked dedicated space for on-site training and education, the Foundation board of directors capitalized on the opportunity to develop a much needed education center.

The new 3,000 sq. ft. conference room features state of the art technology for presentations and teleconferencing and has a moveable wall system to convert the space into smaller meeting rooms. The construction project also included renovation of the Monument Room, the addition of a catering galley, and the addition of a meeting room for telemedicine conferences. The education center will provide space for continuing education, departmental and clinical meetings, and based on availability, for community meetings as well.

In November, Hod Kosman, president and CEO of Platte Valley Companies and chairman of Regional West Health Services Board of Directors, surprised Health Services president and CEO Todd Sorensen with the announcement that Regional West’s new education center will be named in honor of the Sorensen family.

The Sorensen family has been deeply involved in the growth and development of the medical center since the end of World War II. C.N. Sorensen, MD, was the region’s first radiologist. He not only introduced

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specialized radiology services to western Nebraska after war, but also developed the School of Radiologic Technology. For more than 50 years, the school has trained students locally for careers as radiologic technologists.

C.N.’s wife, Lola, was a dedicated member of the hospital auxiliary (now Volunteers and Friends of Regional West) who contributed more than 3,000 hours as a Gift Shop volunteer. His son, Todd Sorensen, MD, returned to the community after medical school to practice medicine. Todd recruited two friends from his medical residency program (Terry Haney, MD, and Bill Seiffert, MD) to move to Scottsbluff in 1976 to open the region’s first internal medicine practice. Todd Sorensen went on to serve as medical director of Regional Care, Inc., and president of Regional West Health Services.

The Sorensen’s other children are Carolyn Sorensen of St. Augustine, Fla., Scottsbluff attorney John Sorensen, and Paul Sorensen of Fort Collins, Colo.

Regional West Foundation will recognize all who have contributed to The Campaign for Continuing Education by posting donor names on a wall of recognition at the entrance to the new education center. The campaign has now reached more than $3 million.

Shelley Knutson, executive director of Regional West Foundation, said the Foundation continues to seek contributions and grants as part of the campaign.

“We are very excited about the upcoming open house so our employees and the community can tour the education center and so our staff can begin using it, but our campaign is not yet finished. We welcome contributions to help us meet our campaign goal so we can continue the medical center renewal project and purchase the new equipment for the Cancer Treatment Center and Heart Center,” said Knutson.

Access Your Health Information Anytime with Acces

Head to myregionalwest.com to register!

As the public becomes more and more technologically savvy, and hospitals and health care providers convert from paper charts to electronic medical records, it’s a logical “next step” to give patients convenient online access to health information.

Regional West Health Services has taken that next step with the introduction of “My Regional West.” It’s a secure, online website that provides 24-hour access to your personal health information.

With “My Regional West,” you can be more actively involved in your own health care. You can securely view summaries of recent doctor visits and lab tests, and have easy access to lists of medications, allergies, immunizations, and other personal medical information, which you can easily update.

You can also link family members to keep track of their health records. In addition, you can securely message your health care provider’s office when you have a question about your health, your medications, or other health questions, and receive reminders for upcoming events, such as flu clinics.

Want to schedule an appointment at a specific time or renew a current prescription? Simply message your provider through “My Regional West” and eliminate waiting on “hold” or calling back and forth. The more you use “My Regional West,” the more you will appreciate the direct communication with your providers.

If you have been hospitalized at Regional West Medical Center, use “My Regional West” to view portions of your hospital record, including laboratory results and medications, and view your discharge summary.

Regional West providers encourage all patients to connect to “My Regional West.” To enroll, log on to www.myregionalwest.com. Register by creating your own private password and add the name of your health care provider(s). Within hours, your provider will confirm that you are his or her patient so you can securely message him or her when necessary. You can then add to or edit your health history at your convenience.

As we expand implementation of this patient portal, Regional West will add new features for the benefit of our patients.

The new Sorensen Education Center is actually four meeting rooms in one. A moveable wall system makes it easy to convert the 3,000 square foot conference room into smaller meeting rooms.

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Meet the Staff of Scottsbluff Surgery Center

Front row from left to right: Danielle Brown, Carmen Benavides, Joni Bruce, Cheryl Peters, Rebecca Dodge, Kathy Mackrill, Donna Klein, Carisa Crawford, Katlyn Stricker. Back row from left to right: Spring Sherrell, Rebecca Robles, Lisa Hutchison, Crystal Kildow, Kailoni Conklin, Tara Harpold, Lucrecia Spady, Amy Henke, Connie Kirchner, Leslie Cook, Terri Kraus, Peggy Jackson.

Inset photos: Amber Gomez, Megan Neely

Located on the Regional West campus, but separated from the main building, Scottsbluff Surgery Center is the most convenient option available for outpatient surgical procedures.

With two operating rooms and two endoscopy suites, the surgery center is equipped to perform a wide range of surgical services including ear, nose and throat; orthopaedics; gynecology; general surgery; pain management; dental surgery; and endoscopy.

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The surgery center staff is skilled at procedures that do not require patients to stay overnight in the hospital, and they are trained to provide quality care that allows patients to be dismissed to the comfort of their homes quicker and more efficiently.

For more information about Scottsbluff Surgery Center, visit our website: www.rwhs.org/scottsbluffsurgery-center.

Alliance Graduate is Regional West’s Newest Surgeon

Jason LaTowsky, MD Ask Regional West Physicians Clinic’s newest surgeon, Jason LaTowsky, MD, about his family and in a flash, his cell phone is out and he’s introducing you via photograph to Heidi, his year old daughter.

Dr. LaTowsky is not only a proud new father, but also a general, vascular, and trauma surgeon, as well as a fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. He’s also the nephew of two respected area physicians, retired surgeon Glen Forney, MD, of Scottsbluff, and Alliance family medicine physician Bruce Forney, MD. Dr. LaTowsky was raised on the Forney Ranch south of Gordon and is a 1999 graduate of Alliance High School.

He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned his medical degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Missouri Kansas City and was selected for a fellowship in bariatric surgery,

which he completed at the University of MissouriColumbia.

He, his wife Michelle, and daughter moved to Scottsbluff to be near friends and family. Michelle is a fitness instructor who owns and operates a personal fitness center called Healthy Exercise LLC. After joining Regional West Physicians Clinic-Surgery, Vascular Diagnostics last July, Dr. LaTowsky introduced a new bariatric surgery procedure called “sleeve gastrectomy.” Patients of Weight Loss Options at Regional West now have a choice of three different surgical procedures for bariatric surgery: laproscopic banding, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy.

For more information about Weight Loss Options or Regional West’s Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, call Certified Bariatric Nurse Mona Urwin, RN, at 308.630.2249.

Surgeons Jeff Holloway, MD, FACS, and Jason LaTowsky, MD specialize in bariatric surgery.

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Air Link is New and Improved A new Air Link medical helicopter was unveiled in early December at Regional West Medical Center. The new Bell 407GX helicopter was delivered to Regional West by Med-Trans Corporation, which oversees Air Link’s aviation operations. It is equipped with the latest technology, and dramatically different in appearance. The previous aircraft was red and white, but Air Link 911NE is black, red, and silver.

This state-of-the-art helicopter provides the latest and greatest in aviation technology. It is equipped with a glass cockpit, multifunctional television screen-like displays, and autopilot, which helps maintain aircraft altitude and air speed; providing greater situational awareness and safety for enhanced mission performance.

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Dreaming of Sleep?

Now There’s a New Option for Sleep Studies The sleep lab at Regional West Medical Plaza North

director of respiratory therapy at Clarkson Hospital,

was recently acquired by Regional West and has

is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary

been newly renovated and newly staffed. It also

disease, and sleep disorders. He completed all of

has a new name: Regional West Medical Center

his education at the University of Kansas at

Sleep Disorder & Diagnostic Clinic.

Lawrence and Kansas University Medical Center

The clinic is now open to provide sleep testing

in Kansas City, Kan.

services for patients who long for a good night’s

According to the Sleep Disorder & Diagnostic Clinic

sleep. Sleep studies are conducted by Regional West

Director Mike Smith, RT, the clinic will be able to

staff and interpreted, usually within 24 hours, by

perform split night studies when appropriate for

board-certified pulmonologist Stephen Smith, MD,

individual patients. That means patients can be

FCCP. The clinic serves all ages, children to adults.

tested part of the night without CPAP or oxygen.

Sleeping accommodations are provided at the

Halfway through the night, breathing assistance

clinic for parents during child and adolescent sleep

will be added and the study will continue the rest

studies. Physician referral is required for a sleep

of the night. Split night testing saves patients both

study.

time and money by completing the full sleep study

The Sleep Disorder & Diagnostic Clinic utilizes

in a single night.

telemedicine to enable Dr. Smith to read the sleep

For more information about Regional West

studies from Omaha, just as Regional West Medical

Sleep Disorder & Diagnostic Clinic, call Mike Smith,

Center uses telemedicine to enable highly specialized

RT, Director of Regional West Cardiopulmonary

radiologists to review medical images from Denver.

Services at 308.630.1339.

Dr. Smith, the former chief medical officer for Nebraska Medical Center and former medical

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Healthy Times is published as a community service for friends and patrons of Regional West Medical Center, 4021 Avenue B, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, 308.635.3711.

Information published in Healthy Times is not intended as personal medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding specific or personal health concerns or questions.

New Trauma Video Showcases Regional West Services

Log on to www.rwhs.org/trauma-services to watch our new trauma video and get an insider’s view of the highly specialized care available at Regional West Health Services.

Comments, questions?

Email kriegjo@rwmc.net.

Todd S. Sorensen, MD, MS, President & CEO Julie Franklin Director of Marketing & Public Relations Joanne Krieg, Writer/Editor Contributing Photographers: Ken Kurtz, Spectrum Photo Stenbakken Media

Did you know?

Regional West Medical Center cares for nearly 600 trauma

patients per year?

Regional West imaging capabilities include multi-slice CT, 1.5 Tesla, MRI, PET, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and advanced angiography?

Regional West is staffed by two full-time neurosurgeons?

Regional West offers interventional radiology?

Regional West has 35 board-certified surgeons specializing in general surgery, vascular surgery, bariatrics, Ear. Nose and Throat, neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, maxillofacial surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, ophthalmology, urology, and trauma surgery?

Regional West Cancer Services have earned four consecutive Outstanding Achievement Awards from the American College of Surgeons.

Regional West is one of the three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.

Regional West Laboratory Services has eight outreach locations in four states.

4021 Avenue B | Scottsbluff, NE 69361 |