OnCenter

OnCenter A PUBLICATION FOR OUR FAMILY OF EMPLOYEES, MEDICAL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY Torrance Memorial’s IT department leads the way

SUMMER 2022

Welcome

Editor Julie Taylor Director, Marketing Communications Erin Fiorito Publisher, Creative Director Vincent Rios Design Assistant Alexandria Smith Copy Editor Laura Watts

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Summer is flying by, and I hope you have taken some time to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with loved ones.

Have you ever wondered who sends phishing emails to capture secure information? Or why someone chooses to become a doctor?

Have you been hoping the Foundation snack cart will make the rounds to your department soon? In this issue of OnCenter, we share these stories and more.

Despite the challenges we continue to face with COVID-19, I am grateful to every employee, physician and volunteer for your perseverance, resiliency and character. The recent U.S. News & World Report hospital rankings are proof of your dedication and commitment. Because of you, our community has again voted Torrance Memorial Medical Center as the BEST hospital in the South Bay! (see page 4) Looking ahead, we continue to focus on growing our specialty areas, preparing to expand our emergency department for the future and serving our community the best that we can. I am grateful for all of you.

Enjoy the remains of summer.

Contributors Danielle Boujikian Lisa Buffington Melani Morose Edelstein John Ferrari Kimberly Durment Locke Nancy Sokoler Steiner Laura Roe Stevens Photographers Siri Berting Michael Neveux

Published by Vincent Rios Creative, Inc. vrioscreative.com ©2022 Torrance Memorial Medical Center. All rights reserved.

Reproduction or use in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Craig Leach President and CEO Torrance Memorial Hospital

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This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. It has not been designed to replace a physician’s medical assessment and medical judgment. Always consult first with your physician regarding anything related to your personal health.

Contents

13 On the Cover

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Torrance Memorial’s IT leadership team: Gina Sulmeyer, MD, Bernie Reid, Steve Lantz, Geoff Frank, Trisha Lanphen Photographed by Michael Neveux

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Awards & Accolades Prestigious awards for Torrance Memorial Social Scene Social posts and news from around the hospital

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Why I Became a Doctor Explore the reason why our Torrance Memorial physicians chose to work in medicine

20 New Heart Health for Women Clinic

Know the signs, upcoming conference

Let’s Talk About Mental Health Caring for the caregivers, the Great Resignation, resources for employees Beyond the Snack Cart The Foundation’s fundraising purpose, programs and team

22 Cover Story: The IT Team!

On the cutting-edge of technology

28 New Cardio-Oncology Clinic Patient success story

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Support and Education TMU virtual class schedule and wellness lectures

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Awards

U.S. News & World Report Prestigious awards are earned. Torrance Memorial Medical Center has again been recognized as a Best Hospital for 2022–2023 for the 11th year by U.S. News & World Report, placing the hospital in the top 3% in the state! Torrance Memorial remained the 11th highest-ranking hospital for overall hospital quality in California and held the ranking of 5th in the Los Angeles/Orange county region. This year we are nationally ranked in diabetes and endocrinology and high performing in six specialties and 17 of 20 procedures and conditions areas.

Ranking in the top 3% demonstrates that we are delivering on our vision to provide patientcentered care with the highest level of quality and service to the community. It means we are honoring our promise to deliver our core values of Service, Excellence, Knowledge, Stability and Community.

We can’t fake it. It’s in our blood, it’s who we are, and we are proud. Congratulations to our Torrance Memorial family. #TMStrong

High Performing Specialties Cardiology & Heart Surgery Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Geriatrics Neurology & Neurosurgery Orthopedics Pulmonology & Lung Surgery

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Nationally Ranked Specialties Diabetes and Endocrinology

High Performing Procedures Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Aortic Valve Surgery Back Surgery (Spinal Fusion) Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Colon Cancer Surgery Diabetes Heart Attack Heart Bypass Surgery Heart Failure

Hip Fracture Hip Replacement Kidney Failure Knee Replacement Lung Cancer Surgery Pneumonia Prostate Cancer Surgery Stroke

2022 Mission: Lifeline ®

GOLD PLUS STEMI RECEIVING

South Bay’s Best We are honored our community has once again voted Torrance Memorial Medical Center as the BEST hospital in the South Bay! Readers also voted us BEST: cancer treatment center (Hunt Cancer Center), urgent care, medical and hospital groups (Torrance Memorial Physician Network and Torrance Memorial IPA) and for the first time, workplace!

We were also voted FAVORITE: knee and physical therapy centers along with local outpatient pharmacy, novelty gift/boutique shop, medical supply store and nutritionists.

Voted Best:

American Heart Association – Get With The Guidelines Awards 2022 Torrance Memorial added another award to this year’s American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines program. Our physicians, nurses and staff have worked to close the gaps separating patients from timely access to appropriate treatments. Our commitment to quality patient care is our #1 priority. We are proud to be recognized for Gold Plus performance in heart failure, stroke and STEMI receiving, Gold in resuscitation and this year Silver in NSTEMI.

• Hospital • Cancer Treatment Center (Hunt Cancer Center) • Hospital Group (Torrance Memorial Physician Network Primary Care/IPA) • Medical Group (Torrance Memorial Physician Network/IPA) • Urgent Care • Workplace

Voted Favorite: • • • •

Knee Center Physical Therapy Center Medical Supply Store – Healthlinks Novelty Store: Gift/Boutique Shop (Torrance Memorial Gift Shop) • Nutritionists • Pharmacy (Local) – (Torrance Memorial Outpatient Pharmacy)

Newsweek Newsweek has recognized Torrance Memorial Medical Center as part of its list of the World’s Best Hospitals 2022. This year, Torrance Memorial rose to rank as the 39th best hospital in the nation, 10th best in California and in the top elite 150–250 best hospitals worldwide.

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Social Scene Curated by Danielle Boujikian

Wear Red Day Team Torrance Memorial showed off their red in support of women’s heart health for Wear Red Day. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. Make heart health a part of your self-care routine this year and always! At Torrance Memorial, we deliver care straight from the heart and offer the most advanced cardiac care in the region.

Visit TorranceMemorial.org/cardio to learn about our programs and services at the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute.

Volunteer Auxiliary Check Presentation Torrance Memorial’s Volunteer Auxiliary presented a check for $206,000 to the Torrance Memorial Foundation at its 2022 Auxiliary annual meeting. The donation will benefit the Foundation in support of Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute. Thank you for providing nearly 90,000 hours of service last year and for this remarkable donation.

New Year’s Baby Our labor and delivery team rang in the New Year with mom Guadalupe and her New Year’s gift: a healthy baby boy, delivered on January 1 at 3:53 a.m. Congratulations to the Sanchez family, and cheers to an amazing first year of life.

Black History Month In honor of Black History Month, we highlighted individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in promoting health and wellness at Torrance Memorial. The pandemic hit one month into Chris Bacon’s new role as director of occupational health and safety. With the support of his team, he created policies and procedures to safeguard our employees, helped secure personal protective equipment, coordinated COVID-19 employee testing and organized the vaccine clinic to protect staff and family members. Thank you, Chris, for always going above and beyond for our staff at Torrance Memorial. We appreciate all you do!

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Super Bowl Spirit Are you ready for some football? Torrance Memorial showed off their team spirit in their favorite NFL gear.

Whether you rooted for the Los Angeles Rams or the Cincinnati Bengals, continue to practice COVID-19 safety measures and do not drink and drive! Stay safe, South Bay!

Pet Portraits Torrance Memorial unveiled new portraits of our wonderful Pet Visitation dogs! Created by the talented Patrick Sean O’Malley, each portrait was carefully crafted to represent our furry friends’ unique personalities. We thank all of the volunteers in our Pet Visitation Program for making Torrance Memorial a happier place!

Addy’s Slime Sales Donation Meet Addy from Redondo Beach! Addy recently donated to the Torrance Memorial Foundation to support the pediatrics department.

To raise money, she made slime and set up a booth to sell it. She also sold her dollhouse to contribute further. Team Torrance Memorial recognizes Addy as an inspirational and selfless community member.

Thank you, Addy!

Torrance Fire Department Blood Drive Thank you to Torrance Fire Department, Mayor Furey and our wonderful blood donors for helping us boost our blood supply with a Valentine’s Day blood drive! We are experiencing a nationwide blood shortage, so every donation helps with supplies for our patients. Who do you challenge to #ShareLife and #DonateBlood? Call 310-5174647 to schedule your appointment.

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Social Scene Curated by Danielle Boujikian

10 Years for TMPN/TMIPA/TMIP Live Cooking Demo with Chef Sam Meet executive chef Samuel Sellona! In 2015, Chef Sam joined the Torrance Memorial team with his extensive education, training and experience. Chef Sam manages food production in Jared’s Patient Kitchen, where meals are prepared and cooked à la minute room service style, Yang and Helena’s cafés, and the catering kitchen in the Hoffman Conference Center.

Foundation Board Check Presentation The Foundation Board at Torrance Memorial allocated more than $15 million to the medical center during an annual meeting on May 6. The funds support the many programs and innovative treatments bringing exceptional care to the South Bay community. Thank you to the many donors who made this possible by generously giving throughout the year.

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Ten years ago, Torrance Memorial established Torrance Memorial Physician Network, acquired Torrance Memorial IPA (formerly known as THIPA) and started the Accountable Care Organization – Torrance Memorial Integrated Physicians. These three organizations have significantly contributed to the growth of Torrance Memorial.

We are proud of these fantastic teams, their dedication to quality health care in the South Bay, and their compassion toward our patients and their families. Happy 10-year anniversary!

Lomita Health Fair Team Torrance Memorial participated in the first annual Health For All Ages fair hosted by the Lomita Chamber of Commerce.

Our burn, respiratory and nutrition teams represented Torrance Memorial, performed hundreds of health screenings for body fat, asthma and breathing conditions, and promoted burn prevention and safety tips. Thank you to the Lomita Chamber for a successful event highlighting health and wellness for Lomita residents of all ages.

Succulent Planting Gardening is sustainable, healthy, therapeutic, team-building and fun! Our emergency department participated in our first hands-on succulent-planting wellness activity. Judith Gerber, Torrance Memorial’s gardening program coordinator, describes the event’s dose of vitamin D as “a dream come true!”

El Segundo Ribbon Cutting The Torrance Memorial El Segundo Multispecialty Medical Complex opened at 2110 East El Segundo Boulevard with a celebration that included representatives from the city of El Segundo, including Mayor Drew Boyles, our Torrance Memorial physicians, staff, donors and the leadership team at Cedars-Sinai. The new 40,000-square-foot complex includes urgent care, oncology, an endoscopy suite, a pediatric and women’s center and much more! Thank you to all whose dedication and strategy made this complex reality.

TwosDay Baby What a happy #twosdaytuesday for the Cooper family! They welcomed healthy baby girl Starla on 2/22/22 at 2:22 pm. This is baby #2 for Esperanza and Marlan Cooper. Congrats to the beautiful family!

Pride Parade Our physicians and staff loved celebrating Pride Month alongside the Cedars-Sinai team at West Hollywood’s inaugural Pride Parade!

LPGA Visit to Peds The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) was in town for the Palos Verdes Championship. Players Nicole Estrup and Charlotte Thomas took time after their practice rounds to spread cheer to pediatric patient Sofia who learned a little about the game of golf.

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LIFE & HEALTH

Let’s Talk About Mental Health Written by Nancy Sokoler Steiner

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nyone reading this publication knows that while working in health care can be extremely gratifying, it can also be extremely stressful. The demanding pace, high stakes and emotional intensity all contribute to fatigue and burnout. And that was before the pandemic. Feelings of helplessness and fear in the face of the new and mysterious virus brought a whole new level of stress to the physicians and staff of Torrance Memorial Medical Center and their peers worldwide.

Now, COVID-19 has reached more manageable levels, but the impact it has had on health care workers persists. In the American Medical Association’s 2022 National Burnout Benchmarking report, 52% of respondents said they were experiencing a great deal of stress. In May, United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, issued a new Surgeon General’s Advisory highlighting the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country.

“While the worst is over, people are stressed, they’re overworked and feeling anxious,” says Morris (Moe) Gelbart, PhD, Torrance Memorial’s director of behavioral health. “At this point, many of us are getting numb.”

He notes that in addition to all the stresses associated with caregiving, isolation and lack of 10

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connection have contributed to mental health challenges among physicians and staff. “Because of COVID-19 protocols, we’re having fewer in-person meetings, gatherings in the lunchroom or opportunities to socialize in the lounge,” he says. “That takes a toll.”

Caring for the Caregivers The announcement on flights about oxygen masks is a good analogy for health care providers, says Frederick Dennis, MD, the medical director of Torrance Memorial IPA. “Put on your own oxygen mask first. You’re not going to be able to care for someone else if you don’t take care of yourself.”

To be productive, one needs renewal periods, he says, suggesting blocking out time on the calendar for the short- and long-term stress-reduction strategies he describes. For immediate relief, he suggests visualization, which entails closing one’s eyes and thinking of a peaceful, tranquil setting such as the beach or rainforest and engaging each of the senses in that setting—smelling the trees, hearing the birds sing and feeling the sun on one’s face. “Within one to two minutes, that can lower blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate, as well as stop the release of stress chemicals,” he says.

Similarly, “one breath” entails breathing all the way out, then breathing in slowly using all the senses—noticing the feeling of the chair, the ambient sounds, the objects within sight, etc. “This gets you out of your mind and focused on the external instead,” says Dr. Dennis. “It stops the monkey chatter [in your head] by focusing on sensory input.” Apps such as Calm or Headspace can help with meditation and visualization.

Intermediate and longer-term measures

include familiar ones such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and getting sufficient sleep. Dr. Dennis notes there are many online sources addressing these topics and is happy to direct readers to specific ones. He also suggests having a pet if possible. “Animals are centering and make you live in the present,” he says.

The mind can play a large role in increasing—or decreasing—stress. “If you change how you think, you can change how you feel,” says Dr. Gelbart. “Thinking can be incorrect, distorted and false. Most of us think in black-and-white terms.”

People often catastrophize and engage in “what if” thinking, he says. When that happens, “Stop, take a breath and change ‘what if’ to ‘what is’—what is going on in your life at the moment? That changes the focus to what you can do.”

Try to maintain perspective, he suggests. “If you see the glass half empty, you’re going to feel negative. If you can see it as half full, you’ll feel better. The beauty is, the water in the glass doesn’t have to change.”

The Great Revise – Life Reassessment The Great Resignation refers to the record number of Americans who quit their jobs since the beginning of the pandemic—more than 40 million in 2021 alone. Dr. Dennis believes this is part of a larger phenomenon that he calls The Great Revise. People are reassessing all aspects of their lives, ranging from where they want to live to what kind of work they wish to do, and whether they want to strengthen or end relationships.

“People are looking at every aspect of their lives and often deciding they can do better or have nothing to lose,” he says. He advises hospital personnel to look at their

Moe Gelbart, PhD Director, Torrance Memorial Behavioral Health

preferences and desires to see how they can best align those with their lives.

Perhaps someone who’s become an empty nester might want to trade her house in Torrance for a condo near the beach. Or a nurse who feels he has learned all he can after working several years in med-surg might want to challenge himself by switching to the ICU. “It’s an incredible opportunity to take stock,” says Dr. Dennis.

Resources Torrance Memorial Medical Center offers a variety of resources for employees. They include the EAP (Employee Assistance Program)—free and confidential counseling sessions with outside licensed therapists. In recognition of the stress so many are feeling, Torrance Memorial raised the number of visits each member of a family may receive from five sessions to 10.

SOS (Support Our Staff) provides peer counseling to employees who have experienced an adverse event in the workplace. The individual is matched with a Torrance Memorial counterpart who has dealt with a similar experience.

Workplace violence has become a growing concern given the disturbing incidences reported in the news. The medical center has a Workplace Violence Team in place, which holds exercises within the hospital and with the local police department. “The hospital is aware of what’s going on. We are as prepared as we can be, and we continue to work on this issue with the experts,” says Dr. Gelbart.

Torrance Memorial’s Health and Wellness Committee, led by vice president of nursing Shanna Hall, designs programs to promote physical and mental well-being

Frederick Dennis, MD, MBA, FACEP Medical Director, Torrance Memorial IPA

and just plain fun. Activities include pop-up ice cream socials and an All-Star Game Spirit Day. In November, the committee invited staff, physicians and volunteers to celebrate Kindness is Contagious month.

The event promoted gratitude and the importance of being kind to oneself, one another and the community. Special activities included staff appreciation welcome days, live music in the cafes, pet visitations, photo booths, newsletters and snack carts.

The committee has also instituted a monthly lecture series featuring outside experts. Last year focused on burnout and stress, while this year emphasizes positive psychology. Lectures are open to all hospital staff and are made available online afterward.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 310-257-5751 Support Our Staff (SOS): 310-997-7444

A Reminder For Those Who Are Struggling Dr. Gelbart offers three suggestions for those who are struggling. First, talk to a trusted family member, friend or colleague rather than keeping feelings inside. “It doesn’t have to be a professional; just someone who won’t judge or tell you what to do. That can often be enough.”

Second, “Know that life is not perfect.

There are times you won’t feel so good.

That’s OK. Things will change.”

Third, if feelings begin impacting daily life, seek assistance from a professional.

“We have good health care coverage that allows you to access professional help.”

“We want employees to know there are lots of avenues for help,” says Dr. Gelbart. “You don’t have to suffer on your own. Don’t judge yourself for how you feel. Accept your feelings and be willing to accept help. We’ll offer as many resources as we can.” • TORRANCEMEMORIAL.ORG

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Seated: Laura Schenasi, Judith Gassner Back Row: Margaret Johnson Doran, Sophia Neveu, Karen Randazzo, Sandy VandenBerge, Jill Golden, Lisa Takata

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Beyond the

Snack Cart Written by Melani Morose Edelstein | Photographed by Siri Berting

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ealth care organizations faced unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 global pandemic ravaged society.

Doctors, nurses and staff were overwhelmed.

Amidst never-before-seen conditions, health care professionals embraced the moment, pivoted, set their personal needs aside, and provided around-the-clock care to sick and dying patients.

Thanks to Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Foundation and its many generous donors, their sacrifices did not go unnoticed.

As the pandemic persisted and widespread enthusiastic support for health care workers endured, the now infamous and always bountiful Foundation Snack Cart made its hospital debut. With hundreds of behindthe-scenes volunteers who steadfastly

Loaded with snacks aplenty, Laura Schenasi makes her way to deliver sweet treats.

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Emergency Department staff gets excited when the snack cart rolls around.

served welcomed snacks to weary health care workers, the snack cart thrived—bringing sweet treats and moments of joy to exhausted employees.

During COVID-19, all fundraising events were reimagined for two years, and the Foundation team—led by dynamic executive vice president Laura Schenasi—

regrouped and leaned into the moment. “We immediately stepped up to support the hospital and staff in other ways,” she explains. “The Foundation team organized and disbursed meal donations, PPE for staff, cards and posters, and of course we created the memorable and beloved snack cart.”

Now, as society and the hospital

embrace a new normal living with the COVID-19 pandemic, the beloved Foundation Snack Cart will move into semiretirement.

“During the pandemic, the Foundation team became our caregivers’ caregivers,” explains Mark Lurie, MD, medical director of the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute and president of the Torrance Memorial Foundation Board. “During those memorable times of high stress and anxiety, the Foundation’s work reflects incredible moments of generosity, humility and grace.”

The Foundation was established in 1980 with the sole purpose of supporting Torrance Memorial Medical Center, with every single dollar raised going back to the hospital. And that is precisely what it has done. Schenasi took over the leadership of the Foundation in 2001. During her 21 years at the helm, Schenasi and her hardworking team increased fundraising from $750,000 annually to an average of more than $17 million in cash and pledges.

As a South Bay resident, Schenasi knows her community well. She attributes the Foundation’s vibrancy and success to her exceptional team, including Judith Gassner, senior director of development and principal gifts; Sandy VandenBerge, director of planned giving; Sophia Neveu, development officer; Lisa Takata, special events and Patrons program manager; and development liaisons, Karen Randazzo, Margaret Johnson Doran and Jill Golden.

Schenasi practices a model of

Say cheese! Thankful radiology staff appreciate a little love.

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shared decision-making and believes in the expertise and brilliance of her staff and colleagues.

“If the hospital wasn’t well-run and people didn’t receive the high-quality care they expect, the Foundation wouldn’t have the success it has realized,” Dr. Lurie points out. “Our employees and medical staff bend over backward to provide exceptional patient care, and people appreciate that.

It’s the excellent patient experience that coexists with the unforgettable ways the hospital impacts their lives. People are generous in those circumstances.”

As a beloved cardiologist and hospital administrator, it is Dr. Lurie’s unique position to make the special relationship between the overall wellness of the hospital and the Foundation exceptionally positive and steeped in gratitude, cooperation and collaboration.

For the past five years, the Foundation has transferred $15 million annually to the hospital, including during the two years when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Now more than ever, it’s time to focus on the future.

At a recent retreat, the Foundation board of directors voted to transfer $50 million to the hospital over the next three years, and the giving does not stop there. “In 2023, we will begin expansion and renovation of the emergency department, and in 2025 the hospital celebrates its 100th anniversary.

So a lot is going on,” Schenasi shares.

Schenasi says the Foundation is looking ahead and focusing on what they do best: design, create, build relationships and host community events to raise funds for Torrance Memorial. “I am a cheerleader for the hospital,” Schenasi says.

The Foundation’s programs make up the team Schenasi encourages.

The Ambassadors are committed to supporting Torrance Memorial’s mission, vision and values. Contributions provided

by Ambassadors fund cardiovascular, cancer, neuroscience and orthopedic programs and services.

The Employee Ambassador program allows employees to sign up for automatic

payroll deductions so a donation to the hospital is directly withdrawn from their paychecks.

Planned Giving programs make a lasting difference through estate planning. For anyone looking to supplement income during retirement, reduce taxes, eliminate capital gains tax or pass assets to family members at a reduced cost, planned giving provides many benefits. Future gifts help people receive expert care and treatment for years to come.

YPPA, or Young Physicians and Professionals Alliance, brings professionals and physicians together to have fun and support the hospital.

The Foundation’s famous Holiday Festival—featuring the big white tent with all the gorgeous trees, the fashion show and gala, along with the annual golf tournament—continue to be the cornerstone events for the Foundation.

Still, it is private giving that makes the most significant impact. From the generosity of major donors whose names grace our buildings, institutes and conference rooms to the young philanthropist who donated her earnings from making slime in the colors of the rainbow … every donation counts!

“Fundraising is systemic,” Schenasi points out. “You need people to attend the events, lectures and amazing offerings we do for stewardship and fundraising.

Still, we find sitting down with donors and connecting in one-on-one meetings and sharing how their donations will affect the hospital is where relationships are built.

Those are the best.”

The Foundation team members are experts at cultivating relationships resulting in the strongest long-term arrangements for the hospital, and they foster alliances with generous donors who are happy to give because they care deeply about Torrance Memorial. When looking at the incredible progress the hospital has made over the last two decades, it is clear the Foundation is helping this world-class institution’s growth and development toward its centennial celebration. •

Get Involved: The Employee Ambassador Program!

The Torrance Memorial Employee Ambassador Program provides employees with meaningful ways to impact their workplace culture directly. The program allows employees to take an active interest in their community. With every penny going directly to the hospital, employees are investing in their company and making a difference in their workplace. It’s quick and easy to sign up for automatic payroll deductions.

Employee donors are recognized at the annual Holiday Festival, and donor names are published in Patrons magazine and posted on the walls outside the hospital’s cafes (Helena’s and Yang) so employees can smile with pride, knowing they have contributed to their community. With a good percentage of employees participating, collectively they have contributed more than $1 million to help improve the very place they work.

Any employee who wants to invest in the hospital is encouraged to sign up for the Employee Ambassador Program. Please get in touch with Foundation liaison Karen Randazzo at 310-891-6726.

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MD W H Y I B E CA M E

A DOCTOR Written by Julie Taylor

D

espite the challenges one may encounter on the path to becoming a physician, there are distinct and profound reasons for pursuing a career in medicine. It could be a childhood illness, a sick relative or parent, legacy physicians as role models, a love for science or even a dream.

It’s a demanding career requiring years of schooling, constant training and a chaotic schedule, but the challenges and rewards are abundant and often the driving force behind choosing to become a doctor. For many, medicine is a calling.

OnCenter reached out to Torrance Memorial physicians, who enthusiastically embraced the idea of sharing their inspiring stories. As you will see, the reasons run the gamut from funny and charming to serious and heartbreaking. But they all offer compelling insights into what makes a person choose such a demanding path.

In upcoming issues, we will feature more stories about doctors living out their dreams and making a difference by empowering patients to take control of their health, save lives in unexpected emergencies and play a critical role in the ever-growing field of medicine.

Would you like to share your story for a future issue? Please connect with us at OnCenter@tmmc.com.

“My brother-in-law was an influence but really it was watching Ben Casey a dramatic doctor TV show. He was young, intense and an idealistic neurosurgeon. I was interested in science and the whole idea just grew on me.”

Mark Lurie, MD Cardiologist, Medical Director Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute 16

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“Growing up, my parents stressed the importance of excelling in mathematics and science and instilled in me the values of hard work and accountability. At the same time, my family and my church laid a foundation of strong morals, treating everyone with kindness and respect and always trying to do what is right above what is wrong. I can think of few careers in which all these principles and ethical values are more in synchrony than in the practice of medicine. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a physician in my life today, as I try my best to follow these convictions while working alongside some of the most remarkable professionals I have ever met.”

“I was rescuing injured animals “I lived in an apartment in Brooklyn during my childhood and felt such with my family and grandmother. joy when I could return them to their She helped raise me, and when I lives. Being a teacher and a healer was a teenager, she was admitted has always been very fulfilling to a small local hospital for massive to me, and medicine gave me a vomiting of blood. The doctors path to accomplish both. Whether could not figure out the cause and with my patients, peers, friends told us to say our goodbyes to her. or family, I was inspired from a I thought it was not right that they young age to help.” could not save her and vowed that I would learn medicine and try to help keep people like her from Gina Sulmeyer, MD dying or at least be able to tell Chief of Emergency Medicine families why their loved ones died.” & Executive Director of Clinical Informatics

Richard Krauthamer, MD

Interventional Radiologist

Donnie Baek, MD Interventional Radiologist

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“After seeing a presentation in seventh grade about how to care for rare animals and getting to hold some of the reptiles the specialists worked with, I decided I wanted to be a veterinarian. Later, when I was a camp counselor in high school, I learned how much I loved working with children and decided to make the switch from animals to humans.”

Richard Brucker, MD Pediatrician

“In my 20s, I was enjoying a “During my last years in high school, successful career in real estate and I wanted to study business, work in a marketing consulting while living consulting firm and travel around the in Florida. I had all the trappings world. One day I had a dream, which of success: a nice house, a boat, a I don’t remember, but I remember Harley and vacations around the waking up knowing I had to be a world—but it wasn’t enough. I had doctor. Initially, I didn’t think much a life-threatening medical scare, about it, but the idea of becoming a and it really woke me up because doctor kept growing until I was fully although the care I received was committed to it. I knew if I studied good, I felt like it lacked a holistic, medicine, it would require my full humanistic approach that makes dedication. So when I decided, I was you feel you are part of the process. completely convinced that I didn’t I felt totally out of control, and I want to do anything else. Looking wanted a more meaningful, deeper back, that was the best decision connection physically and mentally. because I’m very happy with what I So I studied under a Lakota Sioux do, and I love being a doctor. I guess medicine man and spent time you could say I followed my dream!” studying multiple religions and cultures, hiking in deep Alaskan bush, offshore sailing and finally Paula Eboli, MD making the commitment to pursue Neurosurgeon & Medical Director, medicine. If I could save one life, my Neuroendovascular Surgery own would be complete.”

Brian Sherman, MD

WHY I BECAME

A DOCTOR 18

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Internal Medicine and Critical Care

“Growing up, I was always “I was influenced by my father, who interested in the sciences, including is a physician. When I was young, the possibility of going into he would take me with him to the medicine. I did always have a love hospital when he saw his patients for helping people. However, the on the weekends. He always used fuel that provided the initial spark medical terms around the house, was when I fell ill with severe and by the time I was 6 years old, Crohn’s disease at 13 years old he was having me give him his and was hospitalized. Witnessing required monthly vitamin B12 shot. I firsthand the daily heroics around always thought I would become a me—from the smallest to the doctor; however, sometimes things most life-changing and across the change in life, and I became an spectrum from nurses to physicians engineer instead. Although I built to laboratory staff to radiology a successful engineering career, I technicians and many more—was continually regretted not following powerful. Ultimately, pursuing what I felt was my true calling: medicine was the right path for me, becoming a doctor. Then I was and I’ve never looked back.” diagnosed with breast cancer at a relatively young age, and I realized how short life can be. Because Brenton Bauer, MD of this, I left engineering, went Cardiologist to medical school and became a physician and have never looked back. Being able to help others while using my firsthand knowledge of what it is like to be a patient is something I consider a gift and would not trade for anything in the world.”

“My parents were my inspiration to be a health care provider. My dad was an anesthesiologist, and my mom was a nurse-midwife.

Throughout our lives, my brother and I were instilled with the concept of helping those in need and practicing the art of healing. Both of us became doctors, which has given us the wonderful opportunity to give back to our communities. I have been able to do humanitarian work in Sri Lanka and here in our underserved communities of the City of Angels. Teaching future generations about the art of medicine and the importance of giving back to the community is something I enjoy doing to this day.”

Rumi Cader, MD Internal Medicine and Primary Care

Tracy Bercu, MD Chief of Medicine, Internal Medicine, Lead Hospitalist TORRANCEMEMORIAL.ORG

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LIFE & HEALTH

Heart Health for Women Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute New Women’s Heart Health Clinic focuses on specialized care for women in the South Bay. Written by Laura Roe Stevens

H

eart disease is the leading cause of death for women in America—striking 1 in 5 females each year. While cardiovascular disease (CVD) was thought to predominately afflict men, we now know women are equally at risk.

However, women have different risk factors than men and unique CVD symptoms that are often not taken into consideration.

Understanding these differences is critical because gender inequities still exist in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. For some conditions, women may be undertreated when compared to their male counterparts. Focused, specialized care is necessary to address this disparity and the unique concerns of our female population.

“When we founded the cardiovascular institute in 2006, I began planning women’s heart healthy conferences straightaway because women are simply not aware their symptoms for heart disease are different from men,” says Melanie Lundquist, a philanthropist who, 20

ONCENTER — ­ SUMMER 2022

along with her husband, Richard, established the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute. “We have hosted four conferences thus far, and frankly women are still not aware what the symptoms [of female heart disease] are. And if they have been made aware, they often disregard them.”

Lundquist is passionate that the symptoms of female heart disease—numbness; wrist, neck, or back pain; indigestion, nausea, and vomiting—need to be posted at every doctor’s office in the nation until they are fully recognized by women. “I have many examples of friends who disregarded symptoms that led to heart attacks. Women need to take these symptoms seriously and let someone drive them to the emergency room if they are experiencing them. It’s best to go to the ER and have them tell you it’s not a heart attack.”

Committed to providing the most up-to-date, comprehensive care for women in the South Bay, the Women’s Heart Health Clinic at

Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute is working to correct these gender inequalities and educate women on how to recognize female-pattern heart disease symptoms. The clinic provides convenient access to all of the hospital’s diagnostic and treatment resources for heart disease and is designed to help women reduce their chances of heart disease through a preventive approach, including state-of-the-art screening and testing.

The clinic also provides thorough cardiovascular risk assessment and preventive care, as well as management of coronary artery disease, microvascular dysfunction, vasospasm, stress cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome), heart failure, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, pregnancy-related heart health and other conditions known to affect women. The clinic provides complete cardiovascular care uniquely tailored for women.

“Ideally, the best way to treat cardiovascular disease is to prevent it,” says Nadia Jafar Curran, MD,

The Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute’s newly opened Women’s Heart Health Clinic provides up-to-date comprehensive care for women in the South Bay.

Nadia Jafar Curran, MD, weighs in on cardiovascular disease risks, symptoms and warning signs everyone should know.

Women’s Heart Symposium

a Torrance Memorial cardiologist and director of the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute Women’s Heart Health Clinic. “By raising awareness of female-specific conditions that can increase CVD risk and by treating modifiable risk factors, there is hope to reduce the death rates for women.”

Women who come to the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute Women’s Heart Health Clinic are screened by professionals trained in female-specific heart disease— risk factors, symptoms and treatments that differ from those commonly seen and needed for men.

For instance, women who have had hormone imbalances, pregnancy complications, inflammatory diseases or are in menopause have a higher risk for the development of heart disease. The clinic assessment addresses all these risks and provides comprehensive heart services such as cardiac stress test, cardiac imaging, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, electrophysiology study and Holter monitoring.

Dr. Curran outlines the top CVD risks, symptoms and preventive tips for women: What are the main risk factors for the development of CVD in women?

The classic risk factors include hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, etc. However, diagnoses like polycystic ovary syndrome and adverse pregnancy outcomes can increase the risk for women and are not addressed within traditional assessments.

Even after a woman has been diagnosed with a risk factor for

heart disease, there’s a chance she may not receive the appropriate treatment either. For example, fewer women are treated with statin medications for high cholesterol than men.

What are the warning signs/ symptoms of CVD in women?

In terms of overt warning signs, chest pain/discomfort or shortness of breath should always be a concern. Women can also present with less “classic” signs including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, jaw pain or back pain. If these symptoms are recurrent or persist, women should seek medical care immediately.

What is the most important thing women should do to improve heart health?

Get some exercise! My approach to exercise is to do at least one activity every day, whether it’s a quick run or a 30-minute athome workout. Doing some sort of activity daily is not only good for physical well-being but also to help reduce mental stress. It’s easier said than done, but increasing activity, watching your diet (the Mediterranean or DASH diets are proven to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality) and decreasing stress are key to preventing cardiometabolic risk. • Nadia J. Curran, MD, is a cardiologist and director of the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute Women’s Heart Health Clinic located in Torrance at 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 100. She can be reached at 310-257-0508.

In support of the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute, we invite you to join us for the inaugural Torrance Memorial Women’s Heart Symposium.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death among women, and recognizing patients at risk is the key to early interventions and decreased morbidity and mortality. We invite health care professionals to attend this half-day educational conference and learn about new scientific advances in women’s heart health, cardiovascular research and new treatment options for women with cardiovascular disease.

When: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Friday, October 28 Where: Torrance Memorial Hoffman Health Conference Center (Adjacent West Tower), 3315 Medical Center Drive, Torrance To Register: Visit TorranceMemorialFoundation. org/events/womens-heart-symposium or call the Foundation office at 310-891-6726.

The symposium will feature speakers from the Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute (LLCVI), Cedars-Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, UCLA and UCSF, including: • Nadia J. Curran, MD (LLCVI) –”Women & Heart Disease: The Scope of the Problem” • Brenton Bauer, MD (LLCVI) – “At the Heart of Cancer Care: Cardio-Oncology and Women’s Health” • James McKinnell, MD (LLCVI) – “Cardiovascular Impact of COVID-19 Infection: the Long and the Short of It” • C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD (Cedars-Sinai) – “Women and Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: Update 2022” • Michelle Kittleson, MD (Cedars-Sinai) – “HFpEF: Guide to Diagnosis and Therapies” • Joanna Chikwe, MD (Cedars-Sinai) – “Mitral Valve Repair: State of the Art” • Karol Watson, MD (UCLA) – “Tiny Fires Everywhere: Inflammation and Heart Disease in Women” • Nisha Parikh, MD (UCSF) – “Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Cardiovascular Diseases in Women” CEU and CME accredited event TORRANCEMEMORIAL.ORG

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The Cutting Edge

of Technology Written by Kimberly Durment Locke Photographed by Micheal Neveux

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IT teams keep up with the demand by gathering daily for a huddle to discuss and prioritize issues. The huddle applies the Torrance Memorial LEAN principles.

The Information Technology department helps maintain patient privacy and increase efficiency.

S

afeguarding patient information by providing physicians and staff with the most updated technical resources is at the forefront of Torrance Memorial Medical Center’s Information Technology (IT) department. Bernadette “Bernie” Reid leads these efforts and serves as vice president of information technology and chief information officer. In her role, Reid acknowledges, it’s about leveraging technology to advance clinical and business goals, improve the patient experience, create efficiencies for our workforce and secure the information to which we’ve been entrusted.

This would not be possible without the talented and well-rounded IT department comprised of the following teams: clinical core integration and informatics, imaging, business and financial systems, networking and hosting, telecommunications, physician network support, desktop support, service desk, media services, and information security.

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Keeping pace with technology “IT is challenging because change is constant, and the demands on resources continue to increase,“ Reid says. “Change occurs faster than ever before.

It’s important to keep pace with the evolution because it can mean adopting better technology for the end users that is easier to support and more costeffective,” she explains.

The IT infrastructure and operations team work to ensure our network and core systems have high availability with minimal downtime. Torrance Memorial Medical Center, the Hunt Cancer Center, Specialty Center, Skypark, Urgent Care and TMPN physician offices, the El Segundo Medical Building and satellite imaging centers are just some of the buildings supported by the network infrastructure teams.

On a daily basis, team helps the organization solve complex IT problems with more than 8,000 calls per month to its 24/7 service desk from physicians, employees, vendors, contractors and volunteers.

The service desk triages calls and routes them when appropriate to the team with the expertise to address the issue or inquiry.

Physicians and clinical integration Helping bridge the gap between the hospital, IT support staff and physicians is the unique approach Torrance Memorial has taken by adding a physician to the IT team. Gina Sulmeyer, MD, is the executive director of medical informatics and chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Sulmeyer works full-time in her IT role and half-time in the emergency department.

“The benefits of having a physician with clinical knowledge and technical understanding on the IT team is huge,” says Reid. “Physicians need to talk with other physicians about how they use and improve the system.

Dr. Sulmeyer’s role brings medical staff and IT professionals together by participating in nearly 40 committees involving different areas of the hospital.

These committees address daily projects designed to optimize the IT user experience and educate physicians to understand what is or could be available technology-wise. Dr. Sulmeyer has a strong affinity for problem-solving, and her interest in technology makes it more collaborative and, therefore, a more successful experience.

The IT security team must keep current with the latest threat intelligence, manage system vulnerabilities and educate the workforce.

Information Security Manager, Brad Cohen

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Cyber security and awareness training The technology landscape has changed dramatically throughout the years. Most paramount are the increasing numbers of cyberattacks in today’s health care industry.

Monitoring threats to Torrance Memorial’s technology infrastructure and confidential data requires looking ahead and implementing IT security controls. Torrance Memorial’s IT security team must keep current with the latest threat intelligence, manage system vulnerabilities and educate the workforce.

There are approximately 25,000 devices connected to the hospital network at any given time. Some of those include medical devices, such as intravenous pumps, making it imperative the team is constantly monitoring the system from within and paying attention to outside threats and international patterns to be fully aware of any potential hazards and prevent unauthorized access.

New features and fixes such as security patches for installed systems and devices are rolling out rapidly, and the reality is not all software fixes can be seamlessly implemented. They can trigger unanticipated issues with other aspects of the system, requiring additional time and expertise by the IT team to resolve.

Torrance Memorial provides cybersecurity awareness training to inform the workforce of cyber threats. They often issue reminders about computer protection and updates to thwart potential issues, some of which could prove crippling to the hospital’s IT infrastructure. Just one instance of malware on a USB memory stick inserted into a computer connected to the network could impact the entire system.

Have you ever been deceived by malicious phishing emails designed to obtain personal user information and passwords?

To increase user awareness as well as the detection of phishing emails, the IT security team sends monthly “test” phishing emails appearing to be legitimate. Once a user clicks on a link within a phishing email from IT security, they receive a message indicating the email was a test only and are cautioned to avoid real phishing emails. Sometimes they are prompted to take a phishing quiz to refresh their knowledge on what to look out for.

Protecting patient data Torrance Memorial uses Cerner Millennium, an integrated platform for electronic health records. Additional Cerner applications are used in registration, scheduling, billing, pharmacy, laboratory, emergency management, operating room, physician offices, urgent care and other hospital-based outpatient departments. These applications store sensitive patient health information and are protected by multiple layers of authentication for access.

Torrance Memorial also supports a health information exchange platform that facilitates the sharing of information among local, regional and national institutions. We currently share patient data

with Cedars-Sinai, Memorial Care, some Kaiser facilities and a national health information exchange called CommonWell Health Alliance. Providers access these systems with the same level of security as the local systems. Patients must consent to share access to the data and acknowledge that doing so improves patient care across the board.

There are several security levels for safeguarding electronic health records for staff and physicians. Users are assigned a login after going through orientation, credentialing, background checks, education and written consent to adhere to privacy practices.

They are given a password for the system from an approved device and must use multifactor authentication for remote access.

Improving the patient experience With patient safety at the forefront of the IT department, the next strategic initiative for the team is supporting Torrance Memorial’s digital strategy to improve the patient experience. This effort refers to the “digital front door” experience. The IT team works with various groups within the organization to make the patient experience a good one while improving efficiency for the staff.

“Patients prefer convenient communication options with their care team, such as receiving appointment reminders by text message versus a phone call. Or using telehealth in place of an in-office visit,” explains Reid.

The need for telehealth visits between physicians and patients increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Torrance Memorial continues to evaluate technology solutions that will streamline the process of scheduling visits, sending appointment reminders and introducing bidirectional communications, making it possible for patients to communicate with a live person.

There’s also the option for patients to establish an account on Torrance Memorial’s Patient Portal, a web service or mobile application that gives them access to their records and results and can integrate billing information, forms, immunization records and appointment scheduling. The portal also integrates with Apple Heath, allowing patients to share information with other health care professionals. Patients must have their identity verified by the Patient Access representatives and then enroll in the system.

They choose a username and password to access their records.

Results are released to the portal after they are finalized, as required by law.

IT takes a team Torrance Memorial’s IT department is firmly committed to keeping pace with the latest software and updates, computer and information security, guarding against cyberattacks, offering patients a fully digital experience, and ensuring physicians can access and understand the technology available. It is their mission to protect patient information and support the IT needs of our physicians and staff. It takes an extraordinary team of many. • TORRANCEMEMORIAL.ORG

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Torrance Memorial Medical Center IT Department Bernadette Reid, VP Information Technology/CIO Barry Sheppard, Sr. Technical Project Manager

Clinical Informatics Gina Sulmeyer, MD, Executive Director, Clinical Informatics Anne Kienberger, Manager, Clinical Informatics Monika Chudoba, Clinical Info Sr. Project Lead Chase Pittock, Clinical Info Sr. Project Lead Amy Hellinga, Clinical Info Specialist Corey Matte, Clinical Info Specialist Julie Park, Clinical Info Specialist Dan Bauman, Clinical Info Pharmacy Liaison Dana Perius, Project Support Analyst

IT Infrastructure & Operations Steve Lantz, Executive Director, IT Infrastructure and Business Systems

Networking and Hosting Geoff Frank, Director, Enterprise IT Infrastructure Carlos Fabello, Sr. Network Engineer Michael Nguyen, Network Architect Ray Martinez, Infrastructure Engineer Jose Ayala, Sr. Network and Hosting Engineer Sara Birch, Sr. Network and Hosting Engineer Chi Leung, Sr. Systems Engineer David Phung, Sr. Systems Engineer John Singh, Sr. Systems Engineer

Telecommunications Michael Bleier, Manager Daniel Klein, Sr. Telecom Tech Norman Noda, Sr. Telecom Tech Kevin Johnson, Mobile Device Support Specialist Bryan Nigos, Mobile Device Support Specialist Karla Marmol, Project Support Analyst Tishawndra Parker, Lead Communications Operator Natalia Baca, Communications Operator Korina Chavez, Communications Operator Ade Paul Coker, Communications Operator Kalua Fernandezees, Communications Operator Letticia Gomez, Communications Operator Teresa Insular, Communications Operator Gina Lobrio, Communications Operator 26

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Yamira Madrigal, Communications Operator Maribel Mejia, Communications Operator Priscilla Ramirez, Communications Operator Jessica Renteria, Communications Operator Kimberly Rivera, Communications Operator Valeana Tower, Communications Operator Delois Williams, Communications Operator

TMPN Technical Team Kerry Brooks, Manager, Information Systems Support Michael Angulo, Information Systems Specialist Robert Mitchell, Information Systems Specialist Mike Potgoreanu, Information Systems Specialist

Service Hub & Desktop Team Lori Woodman, Manager, IT Service Hub Hubert Rodriguez, Lead, IT Service Delivery Sandra Langhammer, IT Asset Coordinator Matias Alvarez-Napoli, Service Desk Analyst I Jose Ferrer, Service Desk Analyst I Rene Guzman, Service Desk Analyst I Julian La, Service Desk Analyst I Steve Wilson, Service Desk Analyst I Saul Chavez, Service Desk Analyst II Juan Novoa, Service Desk Analyst II Normal Olpindo, Service Desk Analyst II Shavette Robinson, Service Desk Analyst II Larry Villalba, Supervisor Desktop Support Michael Thio, Desktop Support Engineer I Anthony George, Desktop Support Engineer II Lazaro Bello, Desktop Support Engineer II Henry Ibarra, Desktop Support Engineer II Sung Kim, Desktop Support Engineer II

Financial & Business Applications Team Sharif Abdul-Hafiz, Manager, Financial Applications Melvin Ridgle, Database Administrator Larry Bottoms, Sr. Systems Analyst Daniel Wilson, Sr. Systems Analyst Lorraine Nunez, Application Systems Analyst I

Media Services Alexander Baker, Manager, Media Services Mitchell Yee, Interactive Media Producer Cecilia Barrett, Media Services Production Assistant

Core Integration Services Team Trisha Lanphen, Director, Core Integration Services Christopher Rama, Project Support Analyst Jim Nielsen, Sr. Systems Analyst Siddharth Perini, Sr. Systems Analyst Diego Agudelo, Application Systems Analyst II Freeman Bejar, Application Systems Analyst II Raymond Rubio, Application Systems Analyst II Bobby Chan, Manager of Clinical Applications and Clinical Imaging Ken Lim, Sr. Core Integration Architect Rion Listhrop, Sr. Clinical Systems Analyst Edwin Villenueva, Lead Clinical Imaging Systems Engineer Nate Karn, Sr. Clinical Imaging Systems Engineer Marvin Albino, Clinical Imaging Systems Engineer Ashwin Rohra, Manager of Interoperability and Development Anton Postolati, Sr. Tech App Architect/Developer Yashodhan Tabib, Tech App Architect/Developer Dylan Weidong, Tech App Architect/Developer Duc Trinh, Lab System Analyst Elizabeth Morales, Manager Core Integration Dominick Raya, Integration Architect Michael Hwang, Sr. Clinical Systems Analyst Oscar Ochoa, Sr. Clinical Systems Analyst Vanessa Godoy, Application Specialist Austin Hayes, Application Specialist

Information Technology Security Team Brad Cohen, Information Security Manager Steve Porter, Sr. Security Engineer Natalie Obiamalu, Information Security Analyst I Brandon Hankins, Information Security Analyst II

IT Key Initiatives & Support COVID-19 Built surge area adjacent to ED, telehealth implementation, remote patient monitoring, mobile device communication for patient-provider and patient-family video conferencing, report development for COVID-19 admissions and vaccination administration El Segundo Medical Building Built extension of Torrance Memorial WAN (wide area network), installation of more than 433 computing devices and 115 phones Camera Capture Application Rollout of iPhones for nursing staff to photograph and upload wound and burn images directly to the EMR Remote Patient Monitoring Acute care nursing units with in-room mobile video cameras for patients who are confused or at risk for falls Health system-wide rollout of a patient communication system Sends messages to patient’s smartphones regarding appointment reminders and allows for bidirectional communication with the care team Campus-wide modernization of the network infrastructure Completed four phases over a two-year period

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LIFE & HEALTH

Cardio-Oncology

MD, about this field and how it can improve outcomes for fighting cancer.

Building a new program for heart care Written by John Ferrari | Photographed by Vincent Rios

T

he body is a system. More than that, it’s a system of systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and more. These systems interact and work together, so it’s no surprise an illness or treatment of one system can affect other systems. With increasing awareness of the complex interplay between the body’s systems, physicians have adopted a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

At Torrance Memorial Medical Center, physicians, surgeons and other medical specialists work in teams to care for the whole patient. That’s why the hospital is investing in a cardio-oncology program. A relatively new specialty, cardio-oncology provides specialized heart care for patients undergoing cancer treatments.

OnCenter spoke with cardio-oncologist Brenton Bauer, 28

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Cardiologist Brenton Bauer, MD, and Echo technician II Zachary Leazer collaborate on patient care.

Briefly, what is a cardio-oncologist?

What I like to tell people is we are cardiologists with a special interest in patients fighting cancer. We help prevent heart conditions or treat heart conditions that developed as a result of a patient’s cancer treatments.

The ultimate goal is to partner with oncologists to ensure we provide the most optimal treatments for cancer patients.

How did this specialty develop?

Back in the 1960s cancer treatments were very toxic, and we can track the birth of cardio-oncology to the ’60s and ’70s. The specialty has only gotten broad recognition in the last five to seven years though. Over the past 20 years or so, there’s been an explosion in oncology research and treatment modalities. It’s not just chemotherapy anymore. There are so many different types of cancer treatments available—and more in development. We’re learning so much about them and their effects.

How do cancer treatments affect the heart?

There are a lot of different types of cancer treatment, and they can affect the heart in different ways. Using radiation can affect the body beyond the targeted area.

Other treatments can, for example, raise the patient’s blood pressure, so there are interactions and concerns with patients who already have high blood pressure and may face an increased risk of cardiac arrest.

“At the end of the day, medicine is still the practice of treating human beings.”

Are cardiology treatments different for cancer patients than for others with the same cardiac conditions?

Cardio-oncology is not a one-size-fits-all specialty.

It’s tailored to each patient—to cancer type, treatment type, types of radiation, if the patient has radiation therapy—all of this is considered in a cardio-oncology plan for monitoring and treatment specific to the patient.

We consider what may be useful to prevent cardiac conditions and monitor for the development of any cardiac condition. There’s increased monitoring and surveying for heart toxicity. This extends beyond the course of cancer treatment. Due to prolonged cancer treatment that can damage the heart, cancer survivors are at risk of developing heart disease as they get older, so we continue to check in after the cancer treatment is complete.

we have 5,000 or 10,000 people in the study. Cancer research doesn’t have the luxury of the numbers and time to get that kind of data, so we build knowledge from post-approval surveillance and monitoring. Some toxicities may be picked up in the years coming after approval, when tens of thousands of patients are on the treatment. We’re always trying to prevent a cardio toxicity or vascular toxicity in the very early stages of the development of a new treatment. It’s a very dynamic and changing landscape, so there are advantages to receiving care from a hospital like Torrance Memorial, which offers a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

Can cardio-oncology treatments begin before the cancer treatment?

Yes, it’s called pre-hab. We work to get patients in the best shape possible through cardio-pulmonary conditioning and dietary changes, if appropriate. This can be preventive in and of itself—people do much better when they enter cancer treatment in good shape. Pre-hab emphasizes actions patients can take themselves without medication. Besides the physical benefits, pre-hab gives patients some control in a very uncontrolled environment. Having some pieces they can control, through dietary or exercise changes, can help them stay healthy physically and psychologically.

It promotes a positive mental outlook, and that really helps. Mood disorders have a direct correlation to cardiac conditions—what’s called the mindheart connection.

How are oncologists working to identify and minimize the side effects of cancer treatments?

Oncologists and oncology researchers have been doing this all along. Some types of cancer are very rare, which can make it difficult to identify all the possible side effects of treatment for a particular cancer. In cardiology, when we have trials for a new treatment,

Your own specialties include preventive cardiology and advanced imaging techniques, as well as cardio-oncology. How much time do you spend on cardio-oncology?

Cardio-oncology is a growing focus and a new program. You have to build the program, and that’s what I’ve come here to do. It’s difficult to give numbers—the different areas of practice overlap—but certainly I spend more time on cardio-oncology now than five years ago, about half my time now. I wear a lot of hats, but cardio-oncology is my main passion. It’s very satisfying because I’m still coordinating patient care with other specialists, but I also have my own specialty and expertise. It gives me the chance to intervene early and guide care.

How are you building the cardio-oncology program at Torrance Memorial?

It’s an extremely multidisciplinary specialty, and I’ve been working with oncologists and other specialists to increase awareness of what cardio-oncology can offer. It’s becoming a very robust program at Torrance Memorial—and the only cardio-oncology program in the South Bay. Building the program requires personal interaction. At the end of the day, medicine is still the practice of treating human beings.

That’s the art of medicine: It’s human beings treating other human beings.

SEE PATIENT STORY

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PATIENT STORY

Collaboration Helps With Rare Cardiology Condition Torrance Memorial’s Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute cardio-oncologist and electrophysiologist help a patient maintain an active lifestyle after his cardiac amyloidosis diagnosis.

Written by Lisa Buffington

C

reighton Tevlin, 69, is a certified public accountant and avid exercise enthusiast who can often be found on his treadmill or participating in outdoor activities near his Manhattan Beach home. But when he was in his mid-60s, an electrocardiogram performed at his primary care physician’s office revealed an abnormality.

“The only symptom I had was a little shortness of breath, but I thought it was just a sign I was getting older,” says Tevlin, who knew he needed to learn more about what was happening. He scheduled an appointment with Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Institute cardiologist/cardio-oncologist Brenton Bauer, MD. “After some testing, Dr. Bauer figured out I had a cardiomyopathy and A-fib (atrial fibrillation),” says Tevlin.

Rare Diagnosis Utilizing blood testing and advanced cardiac imaging, Dr. Bauer uncovered the cause of Tevlin’s cardiomyopathy: a rare condition called cardiac amyloidosis. This can be an inherited condition, but it can

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Collaborative cardiac care helped patient Creighton Tevlin get back to his life. “Dr. Bauer and Dr. Ostrom are on my team now, and I feel like I am in good hands,” he says.

also develop spontaneously on its own or as a result of certain cancers. The condition occurs when abnormal proteins infiltrate and build up in the heart. Ultimately it results in a very stiff heart that is unable to relax (restrictive cardiomyopathy) and leads to a variety of complications including congestive heart failure and rhythm disturbances such as A-fib.

Dr. Bauer has a special interest in cardio-oncology, which focuses on preventing and treating cardiac conditions in people who have cancer or who are cancer survivors. Cardio-oncologists such as Dr. Bauer often treat patients with cardiac amyloidosis even when the condition isn’t caused by cancer, because the disease affects the heart in a similar way.

“We discovered that Creighton’s condition was not related to an underlying malignancy nor was it hereditary. Rather it was caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation in a gene for the TTR protein,” says Dr. Bauer. “Although Creighton’s cardiac amyloidosis isn’t curable, treatments are available to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and prevent further heart damage—resulting in a longer lifespan with the condition.”

Collaborative Care Taking a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Bauer referred Tevlin to his colleague, Matthew Ostrom, MD, an

electrophysiologist and cardiologist at Torrance Memorial who specializes in treating heart rhythm abnormalities such as A-fib. Dr. Ostrom recommended an electrical cardioversion procedure to correct Tevlin’s irregular heartbeat.

During the procedure, Dr. Ostrom delivered a mild electrical shock to Tevlin’s heart through electrode pads attached to his chest. The electrical shock restored Tevlin’s normal heart rhythm so he could return to his active lifestyle without experiencing A-fib symptoms.

“I am always on my treadmill and exercise a lot, and I was able to get back to my normal activities after the procedure with no problems,” says Tevlin. Dr. Bauer also prescribed several medications to help manage Tevlin’s general cardiac health and his cardiac amyloidosis cardiomyopathy.

“One thing Dr. Bauer impressed on my wife and me is that my condition won’t go away, but I can live with it,” says Tevlin, who sees Dr. Bauer every four months for checkups and is impressed by the collaboration between his cardiologists.

“Dr. Bauer and Dr. Ostrom are on my team now, and I feel like I am in good hands.”

And even though taking medications and monitoring his health can sometimes feel tiresome, Tevlin says he takes things month by month. “I just tell myself to do what I have to do to manage my health and keep trusting the experts.” •

Support and Education

TMU ZOOM CLASSES All classes are held virtually 2nd Tuesday of the month 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Diversity Conversations September 20 10 a.m. to noon Managing Emotions While Communicating Under Pressure September 29 10 a.m. to noon Building Positive Relationships November 2 10 a.m. to noon Cultural Humility November 16 10 a.m. to noon Handling Difficult People November 29 10 a.m. to noon Professionalism in the Workplace

Health & Wellness Lecture Series for Torrance Memorial Staff This lecture series was developed based on the need to help employees navigate life during and post-pandemic.

Health care professionals provide meaningful, hour-long discussions to educate, provide compassion, and promote health and wellness. All lectures can be accessed by virtually attending live or visiting the TMU website for previous recordings.

Upcoming Lectures: • September 12 - Christine Maclnnis, LMFT– Secondary Trauma and Ways to Cope • October 19 - Moe Gelbart, PhD– Achieving Happiness During Stressful and Difficult Times • November 10 - MaryCay Durant, Founder Leading Naturally– Partnerships and Relationships Recorded Topics include: • How to Speak Up & How to Take Feedback • Breathe by Dr. Jud – Calm Your Stress and Anxiety • Restoring the Healer: Insights and Skills for Releasing and Returning to Balance • Maximize Wellness and Satisfaction in the Workplace: Combat Compassion Fatigue

December 6 10 a.m. to noon Managing the Generations For more information contact elaine.mcrae@tmmc.com or call ext. 75704

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Nonprofit organization U.S. Postage

3330 Lomita Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90505 310-325-9110 www.TorranceMemorial.org

OUR EXPERT TEAM HAS ONCE AGAIN RANKED FIRST AMONG SOUTH BAY HOSPITALS BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT. To every physician, nurse, caregiver and volunteer for delivering on our promise of expert care, we are grateful. All your hard work and support continues to distinguish Torrance Memorial as the number one hospital in the South Bay and among the best in the nation.

TorranceMemorial.org

Recognized First Among South Bay Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report Ranked in the Top 5 in L.A./O.C. Region - U.S. News & World Report

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