Our Caring Tradition A Publication of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
BACK TO SCHOOL
Investing in Our Community
FALL/WINTER 2024
[ PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ]
I
Welcome Changes and a Fresh Look
t’s hard to believe that my sec-
and our incredible community
ond anniversary with Sentara
supporters and partners. In the
Martha Jefferson Hospital is ap-
New & Noteworthy section, you’ll
proaching. Time has flown by, and
find several of the new providers
I’ve truly valued every moment of
who have joined us this year, along
being part of this incredible family.
with the exciting news that we
Like any family, we’ve experienced
have opened two new practices in
changes, and I’m so proud of our
our community: Sentara Urology
team’s dedication to caring for this
Specialists and Sentara Obstetrics
community. Working in health care
& Gynecology.
is a calling that requires a constant
As we look forward to the
and caring heart — something that I
year ahead, I’m particularly excited
see in each and every Sentara Mar-
that we will be bringing back our
tha Jefferson team member.
Service Celebrations. These gather-
As you received this magazine,
ings provide us with a wonderful
Rita Bunch
you may have noticed some chang-
opportunity to honor and celebrate
es in its appearance. We’re excited
our team members who have dedi-
to reintroduce the publication to
cated their valuable years of service
celebrate the Caring Tradition for
to our organization. It’s a time for us
As you read these pages,
which our hospital is so well known,
to unite, express our gratitude and
please know that we invite you to
as well as provide a resource that
pay tribute to those who exemplify
share your ideas and feedback. If
aligns with our mission to improve
our Caring Tradition through their
there’s a particular topic you’d like
health every day. We’ll be sharing
work by sharing their time and
us to explore, we’d love to hear
stories, tips, and other valuable
compassion with our community.
from you. We’re here for you, our
information to help our community
Also, it is my great pleasure
community, and I know that to-
members combat chronic diseases,
to introduce Pat Scherle, Sentara
gether we can make a difference.
adopt healthy habits and access
Martha Jefferson’s new chief nurs-
the care they need.
ing officer. Pat’s experience and
Thank you for being part of our extended family.
long-standing commitment to
Additionally, we hope this magazine introduces you to some
health care make her a valuable ad-
of the remarkable individuals in
dition to our dedicated team, and
our Sentara Martha Jefferson
we look forward to her contribu-
family, including our dedicated
tions in advancing the well-being of
providers, our inspiring patients,
our community.
Rita Bunch
President, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
SENTARA MARTHA JEFFERSON HOSPITAL BOARD
SENTARA MARTHA JEFFERSON HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS
SENTARA MARTHA JEFFERSON HOSPITAL MAGAZINE
Carol Hurt | CHAIR
Rita A. Bunch, MPH, FACHE President
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Kimberly Skelly
Lillian BeVier
Michele Carroll, MHA Vice President, Chief Operating Officer
EDITOR Beth Duris
Patricia Scherle, DNP, MHA, NEA-BC Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer
PRODUCTION MANAGER Lisa Parks
Kimberly Skelly Executive Director, Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation
CONTRIBUTORS Karen Bowman Michael Cordell Preston Knight Alyssa Pacheco Lisa Smith Diana Webb
Earl Barnes II
Robert Broermann Rita Bunch, President Joshua Fischer, MD Peggy Echols Terri Edwards Paul Gaden Lawrence Martin Douglas Moyer E. Ray Murphy
Paul Tesoriere, MD , FHM, FACP Vice President, Chief Medical Officer
PHOTOGRAPHERS Meredith McKown Andrew Shurtleff DESIGN Picante Creative
[ CONTENTS ] FALL / WINTER 2024
Journey to Joint Mobility Joint replacement surgery helps patients resume the activities they love.
Page 8
Departments inside cover
President’s Letter
02 New & Noteworthy 05 On-Call Advice
Learn the facts about hepatitis C from infectious disease expert Dr. Rebecca Dillingham.
06 Sentara in the Community Junior volunteers do their homework on healthcare careers.
19 Sentara Cares
Grant support helps Wintergreen Fire & Rescue bring community paramedicine to Nelson County.
22 Eat Well, Live Well
Fresh farm markets put food on a neighbor’s table.
24 The Best Medicine
Features 13
Back to School Community support unlocks career opportunities for the next generation of caregivers.
16
Holiday Health 5 tips to help you be safe, stay healthy, and enjoy the holidays.
[ NEW & NOTEWORTHY ]
New Care Providers Improve Access in Charlottesville Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital continues to improve access in our community by welcoming new providers. To make an appointment with one of our caregivers, please call 1-800-SENTARA. Mark R. Anderson, MD Urology Sentara Martha Jefferson Medical & Surgical Associates
Kelli Hughes, PA-C Endocrinology Sentara Martha Jefferson Endocrinology Specialists
Nicole Stephens, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology Sentara Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists
Meenakshi Chavan, NP-C Family Practice Sentara Family Medicine at Belvedere
Hayley James, MD Vitreoretinal Surgery Virginia Retina Consultants
Kimberly Suppes, MD Breast Surgery Sentara Breast Surgery Specialists
David Cook, MD Cardiology Cardiovascular Associates of Charlottesville
Heather Kartchner, CRNA Anesthesiology Sentara Medical Group Anesthesia
Tolga Sursal, MD Neurosurgery Sentara Martha Jefferson Neurosciences
Conrad Deel, MD Nephrology Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Medical & Surgical Associates
Carl Lobato, MD Anesthesiology Sentara Medical Group Anesthesia
Albert Tao, DO Family Practice Sentara Family Medicine at Belvedere
Rebecca Dillingham, MD Infectious Disease Sentara Martha Jefferson Medical & Surgical Associates
Cristopher Lockley, PA Sentara Martha Jefferson Inpatient Services
Jonas Te Paske, MD Obstetrics/Gynecology Sentara Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists
Kristen Gogoli, DO Hospitalist Sentara Martha Jefferson Inpatient Services
Natalie Murphy, NP Sentara Greene Family Medicine
John Watson, MD Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine Sentara Martha Jefferson Medical & Surgical Associates
Emma Hartman, PA The Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Martha Jefferson
Samuel Oliver, MD Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine Sentara Martha Jefferson Medical & Surgical Associates
Emanuel Haug, MD Orthopedic Surgery Sentara Martha Jefferson Orthopedics
Christopher Pitts, MD Anesthesiology Sentara Medical Group Anesthesia List as of 10/15/23.
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Sentara Opens New Practices in Charlottesville To meet the growing demand for healthcare professionals, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital has added two new practices in our community. Sentara Obstetrics & Gynecology opened its doors in Sentara’s new medical office facility at 920 East High St. in Charlottesville. Led by Jonas Te Paske, MD, and Nicole Stephens, MD, the practice provides a wide range of services to help keep women healthy throughout adolescence, pregnancy and menopause. The practice accepts most insurance, including Medicaid and Medicare. We were also thrilled to welcome Sentara Urology Specialists. Practice leader Mark Anderson, MD, brings a wealth of clinical experience to our area.
Nationally Recognized Heart Attack and Stroke Care For the 11th year in a row, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital received the Platinum Performance Achievement Award, the highest recognition for heart attack care from the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain-MI Registry. Eight Sentara Health hospitals received the Platinum Award, which was bestowed upon fewer
Arthur Bender Quality Award
than 300 hospitals nationwide. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s excellent stroke care also earned the
Congratulations to Joshua Fischer,
prestigious Get with the Guidelines
MD, a cardiologist with Cardiovascular
Gold Plus Award, with Honor Roll Elite
Associates of Charlottesville and the
recognition, from the American Heart
2023 recipient of the Arthur Bender
Association and the American Stroke
Quality Award. This award recognizes
Association. The award recognizes
a physician on the medical staff of
multiple years of clinically appropriate,
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital who has provided outstanding service
Joshua Fischer, MD
evidence-based stroke care, resulting in better survival rates and faster recovery
to our community, improving the
times. Special recognition was also
quality of care we offer our patients.
awarded for the hospital’s treatment of
Thank you, Dr. Fischer, for your
patients with Type 2 diabetes who are
continued care for our community!
admitted for cardiac issues. OUR CARING TRADITION
| 3
[ NEW & NOTEWORTHY ]
Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit Pays a Visit to Greene County
The Women’s Committee Raises More than $200,000 for Women’s Health The Women’s Committee’s fantastic fall events season brought the community together to help Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital fight breast cancer and save lives. In late September, 228 people played with a purpose at seven area clubs for the In The Pink Tennis and Pickleball Charity Event. A month later, more than 50 special vendors and downtown businesses drew hundreds of community members to the Dairy Market for the 30th Annual Martha’s Market. Thanks to everyone who joined us! The events topped $200,000 in funds raised to fight back against cancer, the leading cause of death in our community. This type of support makes possible free prevention, treatment, palliative and recovery programs at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s Phillips Cancer Center. Over the past three decades, The Women’s Committee has raised more than $6 million for women’s health and cancer treatment. “Their passion is incredible,” says Kimberly Skelly, executive director of the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation. “We’re blessed to have their leadership in our community.” Get involved at mjhfoundation.org/twc.
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Residents of Greene County got a welcome sight in October when Sentara RMH Medical Center’s 3D mobile mammography van made a special trip to serve residents there. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and the Greene Care Clinic collaborated to promote the event and register women in Greene County for appointments. A mammogram can find cancer in its earliest stages — up to two years before it can be detected during a self-exam. Although experts recommend an annual mammogram for women over age 40, thousands of women in Charlottesville and surrounding counties struggle to access this lifesaving technology due to transportation and financial limitations. Sentara’s mobile mammography van addresses both these challenges. Although the van does accept patient health insurance, van caregivers also provide free mammography for uninsured and underinsured women. The van’s services complement the free breast health screenings provided to 200 women annually at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, thanks to generous community support of The Women’s Committee’s events.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Hosts Walk to End Alzheimer’s Disease Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital leaders and more than 600 community members walked Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s campus in October to help fight this devastating disease, raising more than $270,000 for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Hundreds of communities nationwide participate in the Alzheimer’s Association walk each year. The disease currently impacts 6 million Americans, and one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.
[ ON-CALL ADVICE ]
Hepatitis C:
It’s Time for a Cure As Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s infectious disease specialist, Rebecca Dillingham, MD, MPH, is passionate about caring for people with hepatitis C. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and received numerous teaching, mentoring, clinical service and innovation awards. Her message to our community is simple: If you’re over 18, follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and get tested for hepatitis C. More than 2.5 million Americans have the disease, which is currently on the rise among younger people. Although the condition typically causes no symptoms initially, over time it can take a heavy toll on the liver and the body as a whole. While a hepatitis C diagnosis was once devastating, today the disease is curable. Supported by Sentara, the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Corrections, Dr. Dillingham and her dedicated nursing team are on the front lines of eradicating hepatitis C statewide. By treating patients, training clinicians and pioneering new methods of care delivery, they have helped more than 5,000 patients access treatment.
“It’s possible to put hep C in the rear view in the next 10 years,” says Dr. Dillingham. “If you or a loved one is living with hepatitis C, don’t be afraid to seek treatment. Medications are available — without judgment — to whomever needs them.” Who should be screened? Both the CDC and the Blue Ridge Health Department recommend that everyone over 18 be tested. Testing is especially important for young people and women who are pregnant. And since hepatitis C generally causes no symptoms, testing is necessary for a diagnosis. How is hepatitis C spread? The most common blood-borne disease in the United States, hepatitis C is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person, which can occur when sharing nonsterile druginjection equipment, snorting drugs, receiving tattoos and piercings from nonsterile needles, and even sharing razors or other household items that may have tiny amounts of blood on them. Why get treated? Even if you don’t feel sick, the hepatitis C virus can still damage the liver. It can also result in severe fatigue, worsen diabetes, cause kidney issues and even precipitate some types of cancer. Treatment, which takes just eight to 12 weeks and has a 95% cure rate, is available at little to no cost and has few, if any, side effects.
The VirginiaHepC team: (Left to right) Patrice Ross, RN; Lisa Holtzworth, RN; Terry Kemp-Knick, BSN-BC, MPH; Rebecca Dillingham, MD, MPH, Medical Director, VirginiaHepC
Contact your primary care physician to make an appointment to get tested. To learn more, visit Virginiahepc.com or listen to the recording of Dr. Dillingham’s First Tuesday Educational Session on hepatitis C at mjhfoundation.org/hepatitis.
OUR CARING TRADITION
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[ SENTARA IN THE COMMUNITY ]
That welcoming spirit was returned many times over by this year’s group of 32 young volunteers, who represented counties from across the region. Together, they donated a total of 600 hours of service supporting patients and assisting staff from every hospital division. “I got a glimpse of what an average day is like for a healthcare worker,” says Margaret Lee, a junior at Western Albemarle High School and president of the school’s Medical Careers Club. Margaret shadowed a nurse leader on the Cornell 2 Oncology Unit, where she learned to change intravenous lines and discovered that she thrived in the fast-paced hospital environment. The experience affirmed her passion for medicine and helping others, which she captured beautifully in a poem submitted for a student contest at the end of the program (see facing page). “Joining the Junior Volunteer program will only benefit you,” says Margaret. “Whatever career path you choose to follow.”
Doing the Homework Junior volunteers learn on the job
For more than two decades, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital has welcomed junior volunteers — formerly known as “candy stripers” — each summer. Many of Sentara’s own nurse leaders and clinicians actually got their start through the program and now enjoy opportunities to give back to the next generation. “The knowledge has to be passed on,” says Majid Entezam, a clinical exercise specialist at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. “If you just keep it to yourself, then it’s not worth anything.”
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Check out mjhfoundation.org /juniorvolunteers for essays and artwork from other participants and find out how to apply for the 2024 team of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital junior volunteers.
This year's junior volunteers were invited to submit works of art, including poetry and drawings, reflecting on their experiences and their passion for healthcare. A panel of hospital staff reviewed the entries, all of which explored the emotional terrain of compassionate patient care. Margaret Lee's moving reflection on her grandmother's struggle with dementia took first prize.
Dear Grandma, It’s been 198 days since we left you in the hospital. I would like to say that I was confident walking in, but I cannot because I was not prepared.
And then I saw your face Gently molded Wrinkles curving around your mouth To fit a beautiful smile. You were always smiling until the very end.
I couldn’t help but notice the sorrowful complexions of the other patients as my family and I walked in to see you.
I’m sorry we left you. We didn’t mean to never come back. We just didn’t want to break it to you, remind you that your children lived 2,649 miles from where you were. I’m sorry that you were looking forward to us coming back that noon. But I don’t think It mattered much because I knew that by the hour you would’ve forgotten that we met.
We had only come to see you, but when I left, I felt like I had done everything but that. I can’t quite pinpoint what the atmosphere felt like before but the shift when my family and I walked in The faces of the other patients Blankly drifting their eyes towards us I saw a bit of hope in them But it was fleeting. We weren’t the people they were hoping to see.
Dementia is a nasty thing. Abandoning your loved ones is a nasty thing. The patients in that hospital never received visitors. I can’t imagine the fleeting hope they felt everytime those doors opened. I can’t imagine the endless cycle of anxiousness waiting for someone, anyone. It’s been years, yet still, no one has come? Grandma, you may not understand, you are the reason I decided to pursue healthcare. You, the patients in the hospital, the race for empathy — that is why I am here now.
For the past three weeks, I’ve done what I hoped to do the day that I saw you again. I’ve met with patients, talked to patients, connected with patients. I’ve built relationships with caregivers, nurses, doctors. I’ve seen firsthand what it means To give empathy, like you inspired me to do. I think that you would be proud of me, if you were here right now. I believe that healthcare Isn’t just fixing broken parts. It’s much deeper than that. Healthcare is restoring relationships Healthcare is building confidence Healthcare is showing someone that they are cared for. I’ve never been sure what field of healthcare I wanted to go into. But I enjoy working with patients, and I enjoy giving them something to look forward to. I’ll continue working hard So I can show you my new understanding The next time I meet you. — Margaret Lee, 16 President, Western Albemarle High School Medical Careers Club 2023 Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital Junior Volunteer
OUR CARING TRADITION
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A Journey to
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JOINT RENEWAL
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D
uring her 40 years as a clinical nurse, Irene inflicted significant wear on her joints, lifting patients, hoisting cumbersome medical devices and working long hours on hard floors. An operating room (OR) nurse in Charlottesville for many years, she has also enjoyed home landscaping, building a tool shed and making numerous home improvements. All of those activities exacerbated the stress on her knees and shoulders. Irene initially tried physical therapy to relieve her pain, but eventually she realized she needed to seek a surgical solution. “I did my research to find the surgeon with the most experience and satisfied patients to replace my knees and shoulders,” explains Irene, 79. “I take my health and health decisions very seriously.”
Surgical Options
One woman’s remarkable story of overcoming pain and regaining mobility
Irene proceeded with knee replacement surgery and then decided to fix her shoulders, which would hopefully eliminate the rest of her pain. Once an avid crafter, her pain and weakness were keeping her from doing the things she loved. Sewing, watercolor painting and knitting, unfortunately, were no longer enjoyable. “I was experiencing restricted motion in both arms,” she notes. “It became harder to raise my arms over my head and carry heavier objects. I could no longer do as much as I wanted at home.” While recovering from her knee surgery, Irene was also placing more strain on her shoulders as she braced herself going up and down stairs, contributing to her worsening shoulder pain.
OUR CARING TRADITION
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spurs can also cause stiffness and pain. Physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and injections are often recommended before surgery — but sometimes it’s clear right away that surgery is needed.
Left Shoulder Replacement
That’s when she found Stephen Gunther, MD, a shoulder specialist at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital with 25 years of experience. She trusted Dr. Gunther to educate her and provide the latest surgical options for treating her pain, stiffness and weakness. “Irene was a pleasure to care for throughout our journey,” says Dr. Gunther. “Since she was an OR nurse for many years, she understood my extensive explanations about indications for surgery, implant design, surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation. She read my shoulder arthroplasty teaching pamphlet, and we discussed all of her questions.” As people age, they generally experience more wear-and-tear injuries on joints, muscles and tendons. Joint cartilage can wear out, resulting in arthritis, and tendons can tear, causing weakness. Cartilage can also disappear, causing bones to rub against other bones without a buffer, causing both pain and stiffness. Tightening scar tissue and bone 10 |
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Being right-hand dominant, Irene decided to fix her left shoulder first. During the initial consultation and workup, Dr. Gunther identified multiple problems in her left shoulder, including severe degenerative joint arthritis, tightening scar tissue with stiffness, bone spurs and multiple rotator cuff tears. After extensive preoperative discussions, he recommended a reverse ball and socket total shoulder replacement, a procedure that uses a medical device designed specifically for patients with both shoulder arthritis and rotator cuff tears. Dr. Gunther’s work in academic medicine and medical innovation has involved him in the development and use of this special implant for the past 20 years. “During any joint replacement, our first task is to remove damaged bone and clean the joint out to remove any bone fragments,” he explains. “We replace the existing joint surface with a new ball and socket, which are made of prosthetic materials — typically a metal ball and plastic polyethylene socket. The result is joint that glides smoothly and pain-free, just like skating on a freshly cleaned ice hockey rink.”
X-rays show a successful reverse ball and socket arthroplasty surgery.
X-rays show a successful right total shoulder replacement.
Irene recovered quite well after surgery and is very happy with her pain relief and improved function. “The procedure is not the problem,” Irene explains. “The postop care, however, is lengthy, and you must have some support mechanisms in place.” After surgery, Irene immobilized her shoulder by wearing a sling. She saw a physical therapist for carefully guided motion exercises and gentle strengthening, while being careful to protect the surgical repair.
was not quite as damaged as her left shoulder. This allowed for the possibility of a primary total shoulder replacement, which is less invasive and saves more intact bone. He points out that the surgeon’s experience is not the only factor involved in a successful outcome. “The surgeon and the physical therapist work closely together to help the patient carefully recover motion and function. I enjoy building a team approach among the patient, surgeon and physical therapist.” Dr. Gunther understands that undergoing a joint replacement takes a lot of preoperative planning, as well as postoperative adaptations to help the body heal. Despite these challenges, however, these surgeries offer a high probability of allowing patients to return to daily life and functional activities without pain. Recovering well from her second surgery, Irene now looks forward to resuming an active lifestyle and is happy to give advice to others about preparing for this type of surgery. “It’s challenging for a while, and you have to rely on people to help,” she says. “But when it comes to the point where there is no alternative, the outcome is well worth it.”
Right Shoulder Replacement
One year after fully recovering from her left shoulder replacement, Irene decided to fix her right shoulder. She diligently prepared her house to make it more userfriendly, which included making high-use kitchen items more accessible, figuring out a way to sign bills, buying groceries that would yield easier meals and completing other administrative tasks. She also knew she would have to rely on the kindness of friends for running errands and getting rides to physical therapy appointments. Dr. Gunther informed Irene that her right shoulder
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TAKING CARE OF YOUR
Shoulders For many people, the nature of their jobs can make it difficult to avoid shoulder strain. Professions that require heavy lifting and repetitive motion, such as construction, assembly line work, warehouse work, carpentry, painting and health care, can lead to shoulder injuries. Even those with desk jobs can be susceptible to shoulder strain, due to poor posture and workstations that aren’t set up ergonomically. Those with active lifestyles also can experience shoulder injuries. Sports like golf, tennis, softball and baseball can lead to shoulder strain over time.
Reducing Your Risk of Shoulder Strain
To minimize your risk of shoulder injuries at work, at home and while exercising, take these steps: Desk jobs: • Place your monitor so your eyes are level with the tool bar on the screen. • Set up your keyboard within fingertip reach. Elbows and knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle. • Use a footstool to support your feet on the ground, if needed. Don’t let your feet dangle. • Support your lower back and relax your shoulders. • Get up and walk to take breaks for several minutes every hour.
Physical labor: • Avoid working with your arms above shoulder level for very long, if possible. Use a footstool or ladder to reach higher and lessen the strain on your shoulders. • Lift and carry objects close to your body. Try not to lift heavy loads with outstretched arms. • Take regular breaks from any repetitive long-duration activity. • When lifting a heavy object, bend and use your legs for lifting power, rather than bending over. • Do not strain to place a heavy object up high or bring a heavy object down. Use a stable platform or stepstool to assist you. Whether you feel shoulder pain due to work, home activities or sports, be careful not to ignore the problem and “play through the pain.” Depending on what’s wrong, you may aggravate the condition and cause more serious problems.
Home First Aid for Shoulder Pain
If your pain is severe or you think a bone may be broken, seek medical help immediately. If the pain isn’t severe, take these steps: • Rest. Don’t make the injury worse. • Use ice or cold packs. Apply for 15-20 minutes at a time. • Apply heat. If pain lasts more than two days, put heat on the sore muscle with a heating pad or warm compress. • Take over-the-counter medication. Drugs such as naproxen sodium and ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and pain. If your shoulder continues to bother you despite these at-home measures, book an appointment with one of our orthopedic experts at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital.
Pain Prevention
To reduce your chances of shoulder injury while exercising or doing everyday activities, try these tips: • Warm up before any activity by stretching the muscles around your shoulders. • Use appropriately sized weights (talk to a fitness professional) to strengthen the muscles around your shoulders, keep them stable and help protect you from injury. And please don’t overdo your weight workouts! • Work on improving your flexibility and range of motion. You can find stretching ideas online, or you can talk to a trainer, if you have a gym membership. Your provider may recommend an appointment with a physical or occupational therapist to determine the best exercises for you.
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BACK TO
SCHOOL
with Sentara
Community generosity creates life-changing career opportunities For years, Latanya Smith struggled to advance her career in health care. A wife and mother of three, the youngest of whom recently graduated from high school, Smith has held a part-time position on the Environmental Services team at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital while working a full-time job as a personal care aide in assisted living at The Colonnades. She has long dreamed of advancing her nursing career by earning her credentials as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). »
OUR CARING TRADITION
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“I always wanted to further my education, but I could never find the time or the money for CNA courses,” she says. “The CNA class costs about $1,000, and it was just very hard to find that extra money.” In June 2023, Smith got one step closer to her dream. She and 10 other students completed a free six-week preparatory course, paid for with community support through the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation. “I encourage anybody who wants to be in the healthcare field to utilize this program,” she says. “Education is everything in the job market.” Improving Community Health Smith has passed this wisdom on to her daughter, Seirra Winn, community relationships coordinator for Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s newly created Career Pathways program. Winn comes to the
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Workforce development truly is the Caring Tradition in action.
program after serving as a community health worker for Sentara’s Starr Hill Health Clinic, where she developed programs to address food insecurity, access to care and other urgent needs identified through the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The CHNA study, undertaken every three years by Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, the University of Virginia and the Blue Ridge Health District, identifies major gaps in care and services that lead to health inequities in our region. “For me, a job is a steppingstone to improved overall well-being,” says Winn. “It doesn’t stop at having the funds to put food on the table and secure safe, affordable housing.
“Workforce development truly is the Caring Tradition in action,” says Kimberly Skelly, the Foundation’s executive director. “We are improving health equity in our community while ensuring our capacity to continue to provide clinically excellent care.”
It improves health equity and access to care. It’s fundamental to a healthy life.” Thanks to community generosity and Sentara’s tuition assistance program, anyone with a high school diploma can find job opportunities at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and then receive full funding to earn a two-year, four-year or master’s degree. All offerings are tailored to the needs of the student, and many paths offer the opportunity to earn a salary while attending class, enabling individuals to advance their careers while supporting their families. Workforce development programs are nothing new at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. Over the past decade, community generosity to the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation’s Haden Nursing Institute and the Center for Clinical Education have helped more than 200 Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital employees earn degrees and deepen their professional expertise. Prompted by a shortage of healthcare workers that is straining capacity at hospitals and nursing homes nationally and here in the Blue Ridge, this year the Foundation expanded the scope of these programs to include recruitment efforts like the CNA program.
A Steppingstone to Success For the June CNA class, students came from the hospital’s Environmental Services team and from Westhaven, Charlottesville’s oldest and largest public-housing community. Winn collaborated with Shelly Bryant, Westhaven’s program coordinator, to consider the individual needs of each participant and make sure they had the support they needed to complete the program. This meant not only removing cost and scheduling barriers, but also helping some participants arrange for reliable access to transportation and the internet. “Sentara’s goal is to meet people where they are and help them get to the next level,” says Winn. The individualized support made the difference: All 11 students completed the class. They celebrated their achievement together in June at a moving graduation ceremony on the Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital campus, with their families in attendance. Bryant reflected on the sense of possibility that made it such a special day. “The Westhaven students want to get out of public housing,” she says. “Many of them want to own their own homes, work in leadership roles or start their own businesses. They want to be self-sufficient and independent. To have Sentara open that door for them is a blessing.” All 11 students have since passed the CNA exam, and Sentara hopes to place most of these graduates in nursing positions that lead them toward work in the departments of their choice. Also, a new group of students started the CNA class in September. Smith has applied for a full-time job at Sentara as a patient care technician, and she is now training to run electrocardiograms and other cardiac monitoring equipment. Her dream is to become a registered nurse. “I'm taking baby steps toward it, but that is my end goal,” she says. “This opportunity to advance my career has meant the world to me.” For more information, visit mjhfoundation.org/ workforce-development
OUR CARING TRADITION
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5 Tips
to Help You Stay Healthy Through the Holidays ’Tis the season for friends, family and food! As you celebrate the holidays with those you love, here are a few suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and your friends at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital about how to stay healthy and safe through December and into the new year. 1.
Get your flu shot!
mindful eating when it comes to partaking in your favorite seasonal desserts. And avoid skipping meals to save up calories for a big feast, as that can be counterproductive and lead to overeating.
Before you start making the rounds at parties, be sure your vaccines are up to date by talking with your primary 3. Stick to your bedtime. We all know care provider or visiting your sleep matters, so aim for seven to eight hours a local pharmacy. The CDC night. Getting extra rest will make it easier to recommends that everyone 6 avoid mindless eating and manage any stress months and older receive an that arises during the holidays. annual flu vaccine, and you can further reduce your risk 4. Stay active. Movement is your friend, so of illness by remembering to wash your hands look for opportunities to walk off those extra often. Also, don’t forget that COVID vaccination calories and regulate your moods. Even better, boosters are available. take advantage of the mental and physical benefits of group exercise, and encourage your loved ones 2. Indulge wisely. Temptation abounds to go on an after-dinner walk with you. Sentara during the holidays, so it’s smart to think ahead Martha Jefferson Hospital’s and go to parties with a plan — especially if 56-acre campus offers gardens you’re managing diabetes or other chronic and miles of walking trails that illnesses. Drink water and limit your alcohol are open to the public and intake. Load up at least half your plate with connected to other trail systems. nonstarchy veggies. Avoid blood-sugar spikes Scan this QR code to access a by sticking to your usual mealtimes. Practice trail map. 16 |
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5. Manage stress. Let’s face it: Most of us will feel overwhelmed, stressed out or lonely a few times during the holiday season. So if you feel your inner Grinch starting to show up, remember to take a break, find support or go for a walk. Managing your expectations and identifying healthy coping strategies ahead of time also can be helpful. Scan this QR code to access
mindfulness meditations you can use in difficult situations. Most important, remember to have fun, practice gratitude and savor those moments of beauty with friends and family. Be safe and stay well to better enjoy the happiest of holiday celebrations. Visit mjhfoundation.org/healthyliving for more tips and free resources from Sentara’s Starr Hill community health team.
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Happy 25th Anniversary to our Pet Therapy Volunteers! Over the past 25 years, our therapy
Dixie
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animals have become beloved partners in patient care at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. Helping to reduce anxiety and providing a comforting presence, these volunteers regularly bring smiles to the faces of patients and families, and they are an important part of the healing experience that defines the Caring Tradition. Special thanks go out to our pet therapy volunteers (a few of whom are pictured here) and the more than 200 community members who donated over 30,000 hours last year to help patients and families on their health journeys. You make a profound difference for our community, families and staff, and we are truly grateful. Visit mjhfoundation.org/volunteer to learn more about how you can share your love as a hospital volunteer.
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2023 Charlottesville-Area Sentara Cares Grant Recipients African American Pastors Council of Charlottesville and Vicinity Bennett’s Village Bethel Youth Alive and Multi-Purpose Center
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ur mission to improve health every day drives everything we do to keep individuals, families and the communities we serve healthy. Part of this mission involves establishing partnerships that create positive impacts in our communities. Through the support of Sentara Cares grants and the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital provides grant funding to community health partners located in the Blue Ridge Health District. The latest round of Sentara Cares grant awards was announced in summer 2023, with 27 organizations in the Charlottesville area receiving funding (see list on the right). On the pages that follow, we spotlight one partner organization, Wintergreen Fire and Rescue, which is piloting the Blue Ridge Health District’s first community paramedicine program to improve access to care for Nelson County residents who are challenged with geographic isolation and financial insecurity. To learn more and check out videos featuring our community partners, visit mjhfoundation.org or Sentaracares.com.
Central Virginia Farm Workers Initiative Charlottesville Ballet Charlottesville Community Bikes Charlottesville Redevelopment & Housing Authority Child Health Partnership Common Ground Healing Arts Cultivate Charlottesville Feeding Greene Inc. Fluvanna Meals on Wheels Inc. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Market Central Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle New Beginnings Christian Community Orange County Free Clinic Piedmont Family YMCA Reclaimed Hope Initiative The Haven at First & Market The Journey Home Inc. The Uhuru Foundation The Women’s Initiative United Way of Greater Charlottesville Wintergreen Rescue Squad OUR CARING TRADITION
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Caring for the Community with Wintergreen Fire & Rescue
Supported by a Sentara Cares grant, Wintergreen Fire & Rescue in Nelson County is launching the first community paramedicine program in the Blue Ridge Health District. “Nelson County has a gap in care below the 911 level,” says Curtis Sheets, chief of Wintergreen Fire & Rescue. “People are calling 911 because they have nowhere else to go.” The 100-member Wintergreen Fire & Rescue team provides fire suppression and emergency medical services (EMS) to an area encompassing roughly 15,000 people spread out across hundreds of square miles. Nelson County’s residents are relatively isolated geographically, and many of them also face severe financial hardship — in fact, the county has the lowest median household income in the Blue Ridge Health District. At least 17% of Nelson’s children live in poverty, and half qualify for free lunches. As a result, strong preventive and primary care are out of reach for many Nelson County families. Wintergreen Fire & Rescue helps to bridge this gap, fielding nonemergency calls and taking people to the hospital for issues, such as infected wounds and diabetes complications, that could have been avoided through preventive care. Inspired by the need and the opportunity, Chief Sheets and Deputy Chief Mike Riddle are stepping forward to launch a Nelson County community 20 |
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paramedicine program, supported by a core group of dedicated volunteers, as well as leadership funding from a Sentara Cares grant from Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. “This is a great opportunity to be really attentive to the physical and mental health needs of the community,” says Ron Culberson, a social worker and one of the volunteers helping to build the program. For Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, supporting the program aligns perfectly with our commitment to improving access to care and addressing the social determinants of health identified through our local Community Heath Needs Assessment. Community paramedicine focuses on prevention and wellness, which could mean removing fall risks, connecting patients with services and care networks, helping them manage chronic conditions, securing affordable medications, or just helping people adjust to changes after a hospital stay. Community paramedics also help people manage barriers to health, such as food insecurity, lack of affordable housing and substance use disorders. The need for and potential benefits of the program are significant: Nelson County residents have hospitalization rates and cancer deaths that are among the
trusted in the community, thanks in part to their prior investment in vaccine clinics and other community events. Sheets is a second-generation firefighter and EMT with more than 20 years of experience. Riddle is a 15-year Wintergreen veteran, and Hachey and Culberson have strong volunteer EMT experience, in addition to their professional expertise. “On the volunteer side, we’re unique in that we are primarily a group of retirees who have asked to be in on the Community ground floor, so we can help to make this paramedicine paramedicine program all it can be,” highest in the region. The county also has the highest suicide rates in programs allow says Hachey. Wintergreen launched the program the Blue Ridge Health District. EMTs to focus this summer with two dedicated part“We’ve had people who have time staff and a vehicle donated by the called us hundreds of times in on prevention Grottoes Rescue Squad. Through a a year because they didn’t have and wellness. Community Paramedicine Task Force anyone else to help,” says Sheets. convened by the Blue Ridge Health “But if you send someone to check District, the Nelson County team is on them, you find EMS calls go learning from the success of EMS peers down to zero. Loneliness is one of in Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Richmond the top problems.” and other communities with paramedicine programs Of Wintergreen’s more than 2,500 EMS calls already in place. every year, Sheets estimates that about 10% could be While paramedicine programs have demonstrated paramedicine candidates. The program will focus on reductions in preventable emergency department visits the most at-risk people: “frequent flyers” who make and hospital readmission rates, the most important repeated use of nonemergency 911 services throughmetric of success for the program will be the improved out the year, have recently been discharged from the health of people in Nelson County. hospital or are struggling to manage a chronic illness. Wintergreen Fire & Rescue prides itself on being To identify the people most in need of support, the EMS team is working with local hospitals and medical innovative in finding ways to care for the community. “That’s true with the types of equipment we use and the partners, faith-based institutions, and local organizaprotocols we have in place,” says Riddle. “Community tions while doing their own outreach. paramedicine is one more tool in our toolbox. We “It’s a ‘build it and they will come’ approach,” are grateful to Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital for says Wayne Hachey, a retired U.S. Army doctor and supporting our efforts to improve health and wellness in public health advocate who is also part of the core our community.” volunteer team. It helps that Wintergreen’s emergency medical Learn more at mjhfoundation.org or wtgfireresq.org. technicians (EMTs) and firefighters are known and OUR CARING TRADITION
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Food for the [ EAT WELL, LIVE WELL ]
Body Soul and
I really want to take a few moments to thank all the people who assisted to provide the farmer market in Fluvanna. It was such a great experience and I ate so well for a week basically free! Such programs encourage community and dignity — food not just for the stomach, but the soul.”
— Lee
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Cooking with Sentara and local partners are fighting food insecurity in the Blue Ridge — one bag of groceries at a time.
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his summer, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital and the Local Food Hub teamed up to supply more than 1,700 local families with free farm-fresh meat, cheese and produce. Community support made possible a $100,000 investment through the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation to fund the program, which spanned Louisa, Greene, Albemarle, Fluvanna and Nelson counties. With one in 10 children in our region living in poverty, and thousands more lacking regular access to fresh, healthy nourishing food, the program meets an urgent need. “Food insecurity is real,” says program architect Seirra Winn, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital community relationships coordinator. “It takes the collaboration of all of us to eliminate barriers and meet this most basic of needs and help ensure families in our community stay well.” Help feed a neighbor in need. mjhfoundation.org/fighthunger
Chef Antwon Brinson Spice up your holiday table with this flavorful twist on healthy greens from local chef Antwon Brinson. Chef Brinson has cooked in some of the world’s best kitchens, and he brings that expertise to his passion for empowering people and building community in the kitchen. From his mission-based business at Culinary Concepts AB in Charlottesville, he is sharing occupational and life skills through the culinary arts. Learn more about Chef Brinson at culinaryconceptsab.com.
Ethiopian-Inspired Collard Greens - Gomen Chef Antwon Brinson Ingredients: Stock 1 piece smoked turkey 1 large onion (diced) 2 large ribs celery (diced) 1 medium carrot (chopped) 2 bay leaves 1 gallon water
until the turkey is falling off the bone. Remove stock from heat, strain off the liquid, and reserve to be used later on. Pull meat of turkey bones, reserve for later use. Discard the vegetables and turkey bones. 2.
Gomen 2 bunches of kale or collard greens (chopped) 1 cup diced onion 2 cloves garlic (minced) 1 tbsp fresh ginger (minced) 1 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp coriander 1 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder 2 quarts smoked stock (recipe above) 3. 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar Instructions: 1.
Using a medium-size stock pot add all stock ingredients & bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour or
Using a medium-size pot add onion, cumin, and coriander, toast for 3-5 minutes or until you start to smell the spices. Once the onion becomes translucent add your olive oil. Next, add onion powder, garlic powder, garlic, and ginger. Allow to cook out for 1 minute. In small handfuls, add your greens. Allow them to cook down for about 2-3 minutes and add another handful. Continue this process until all greens have been added. Add 2 quarts of the stock you made and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and allow greens to cook out for 30 minutes. Remove the lid and add in your smoked turkey, salt, and pepper. Allow your greens to cook out for another 15 minutes. Finish your greens with apple cider vinegar. Taste! Adjust seasoning as needed.
Find out more at mjhfoundation.org/our-events/cooking-classes
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[ THE BEST MEDICINE ]
Why Your Health Should Be as Important as Your Fish Tank BY MICHAEL CORDELL
I’m always amazed by people who really know cars. Gearheads, if you will. These individuals describe cars using phrases like: “That sweet ride has a 360 Hemi with a supersized torque and a catalytic wang dang doodle under the lid.” If you know anything about cars, then you can tell from the previous sentence that I don’t. I just like to throw around random tidbits I pick up from “Fast & Furious” movies and sprinkle in words that, if they aren’t actually car terms, should be. Another peculiar species of human, to me, is the gardener. While I admire someone’s commitment to their garden, that’s not something I do, either. Granted, the outside of a gardener’s home often looks like something out of a magazine, whereas mine looks like it’s the set of a zombie movie. With gardening, you reap what you sow. And I don’t sow. And don’t get me started on people who maintain at-home aquariums, some of which are deserving of a cover charge — gorgeous displays of colorful, graceful creatures killing time, gliding through the water as if hypnotized. Obviously, that doesn’t include the occasional “floater” or the partially eaten fish (which was probably the result of introducing a cranky specimen into the tank), but a vigilant owner is quick to hide any evidence that betrays an idyllic aquatic scene. One thing these groups of hobbyists have in common is the time and effort they put into their passions. I have a neighbor who washes and waxes his car hourly. He can tell you exactly how long it will be until the next oil change, and when they bring the air filter out for him to inspect at the service shop, he simply laughs, because he’s already changed that sucker on his own. Actually, he’s already changed his own oil as well, so I’m not sure 24 |
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why he’s even there. Regardless, he takes immaculate care of his car, and it shows. Likewise, gardeners are constantly outside weeding and fertilizing and pruning. They spread mulch, they water and they perform the other hundred tasks required for a gorgeous display. It’s a constant process that takes effort, which is why I don’t do it. And aquarists are so dedicated to their hobby, they’ve even earned an obscure term like aquarist. Don’t even get them started on water temperature, pH balance, nitrates and oxygen levels. If an aquarist corners you at a cocktail party, you’ll soon be worried about your own oxygen level. There are countless hobbyists and aficionados who spend large amounts of time taking care of whatever it is that means a great deal to them. So, how is it that so many people don’t give their bodies that same consideration? Is an annual physical really that inconvenient when we’re talking about one’s health and livelihood? Shouldn’t we be as particular about the types of things we consume as some people are about the type of oil their car uses, the type of fertilizer they spread in their garden or the quality of the food they give their fish every day? Can’t we respond to an irregularly shaped mole that suddenly appears on our skin the same way we respond to a dent on the car, or a fungus in the garden, or algae forming in the fish tank? We should be our No. 1 hobby — as attentive to our own needs and changes as we are to those other diversions we care about so much. Besides, being in good health helps us keep operating in top form, so we can, in turn, keep partaking in our hobbies. After all, those flower beds aren’t going to mulch themselves. Trust me, I know.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Orthopedics
Don’t let joint pain put your life on pause Whether you suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis or recently had a setback because of an orthopedic injury, our orthopedic surgeons and specialists will provide a comprehensive, patient-centered plan to recovery. We combine proven methods with the latest surgical techniques and technology, such as the minimally invasive anterior hip approach, to help you get back to the activities you love.
Learn more and request an appointment at Sentara.com/CVilleOrtho
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