Oxford Health & Life: Fall 16

oXford f T h e G o o d L i v i n G M a G a z i n e f r o M M c c u l l o u g h - h y d e | T r i h e a lT h

kangaroo care

mom-baby bonding oncology healing geTs Personal Soothing souP reciPes

fall 2016 | $3.95 trihealth.com

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Kangaroo Care

A speciAl mother-child connection At birth offers AmAzing heAlth benefits for life. for bAbiEs wHo ArE prEmATurE or have other medical issues, a simple step after birth can give them important health benefits. it involves placing the newborn on mom’s chest, skin-to-skin, beginning immediately at birth. A blanket goes on top to form a kangaroo-like pouch. And for an hour or two, the baby and mother bond during what’s called “kangaroo care.”

Though simple to perform, its effects are remarkable. Kangaroo care can reduce deaths of at-risk babies by one-third, according to research. This and other benefits are so significant that, beginning this past spring, the staff of TriHealth’s mccullough-Hyde Hospital made kangaroo care the gold standard for every newborn. “in addition to helping the baby keep warm, research shows that this closeness helps the baby with better breathing, better blood sugar and much less crying,” says debby baker, r.n., patient educator and certified lactation consultant on the obstetrics unit at mccullough-Hyde. studies also show that newborns who received kangaroo care have higher oxygen levels and greater growth in head circumference. “it can also help with breastfeeding, which in turn gives the baby important nutrients they can only get from breast milk.” in fact, it’s not unusual for newborns to begin nursing in those first hours when their mom is giving them kangaroo care, she says.

All of these benefits are especially important for premature and low birth-weight babies. since the hospital began teaching mothers about kangaroo care in the spring, it has been a big hit. new mom brittany sizelove,

25, of Hamilton, and her husband, bryan, learned about it during the hospital’s baby bound childbirth classes. so when their first child, reagan walker sizelove, was born in february, she was eager to start it. “The nurse placed him directly on my chest right after birth,” sizelove says of her 8-pound, 2-ounce baby boy. “He stayed right there with me for about an hour and a half. it was so peaceful, relaxing and calming for him, and for me.” with her husband at their side, the family really enjoyed the special, quiet time together, she says.

Kangaroo care for special situations staff can also make simple adjustments to allow the skin-to-skin contact for a mother who needs stitches after an episiotomy or if the baby is born by caesarean section. “This is a big change for these mothers, and they love it,” baker says. “They can now cuddle with their newborn in the hour or two after birth, instead of being separated while staff complete any medical procedures on the mother.”

As for other, traditional newborn care, babies still get vitamin K shots to prevent bleeding disorders and eye drops to prevent blindness, for example. but this care can often wait for an hour or more after delivery. fathers can enjoy this special time with their newborn, too, both in the hospital and at home.

“The whole experience at mcculloughHyde was great,” sizelove says. “And i liked kangaroo care so much that i continued it with reagan three or four times a day for the first few weeks we were home. it’s a great option for any new parent.”

To find ouT morE AbouT sErvicEs AvAiL AbLE for you or your fAmiLy AT mccuLLougH-HydE mEmoriAL HospiTAL, pLEAsE cALL 513.523.2111 or visiT TRIHEalTH.COM.

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When Healing ing

gets Personal nal

Creating a Caring ConneCtion n makes tough treatments easier. er.

also, the team has been in place for a the receptionist peers out the long time, meaning patients get to see large windows of the mccullough-hyde memorial hospital oncology department. the same staff members at every appointment. she watches for a patient. as he gets out patients and their families notice the of his car, she sees that he has trouble bond the staff strives to create. elaine walking to the entrance and heads outmclean of oxford, ohio, is a retired side to help. she makes a mental note nurse. her husband harvard had twothat, next time, she should wait for him and-a-half years of chemo. “the staff outside. it’s likely that he’ll need help was very friendly,” she says. “they were again. this is just one of many ways that oncology staff members build strong rela- willing to do anything to make him comfortable.” they helped her, too. someone tionships with their patients. was always ready to answer her ques“chemotherapy is hard for patients tions, “even when i had questions that and their families,” says mallory helton, i didn’t want my husband to hear.” she r.n. “We do everything we can to help trusted the staff so much that she felt them get through it. We’re always there comfortable running errands during his for them. We want them to know that.” treatments. “i knew they this dedicawould take care of him.” tion to patient needs the mcleans’ shows up in other daughter Kristie mentch, areas. for instance, of concord, ohio, visited the oncology dewhen she could. “When partment doesn’t i went with my dad for have an automated chemo, they welcomed phone service. “if you him like they knew him. call the oncology he wasn’t just a number department,” says Note from the McLean family thanking to them.” mallory, “a person the staff for their care. patients and their answers the phone.” providers come to know each other well. you’ll get to the right person quickly. “We “We know what’s going on in our padon’t want our patients or their families tients’ lives, and they know what we’re to be frustrated because they can’t get doing. for instance, i just got back from through to us.” vacation today,” says mallory. “several it also helps that the department is patients have asked me about it. We small. staff members take on many redon’t have just a business relationship. sponsibilities, and this means more it’s personal. patients share their stories. people can answer patients’ questions.

We share ours. they feel more at home. they are more comfortable with everything.” and this special bond even extends beyond treatment visits. Kristie recalls that, after her father was admitted for a fractured pelvis, the oncology staff visited her dad on their lunch hour: “they took time out of their day. this wasn’t part of their job. they did it because they cared.” to mallory, this is part of the culture of mccullough-hyde memorial hospital. it’s centered on patients and their families. it provides quality healthcare—but with a personal and caring touch.

to find out more about services avail able for you or your family at mccullough-hyde memorial hospital, please call 513.523.2111 or visit TRIHEalTH.COM.

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Taking Care of Neighbors

GastroenteroloGist robert CuCinotta, M.D., Makes aCCessibility anD aCtive listeninG top priorities in proviDinG Care for patients. if you comE from A big fAmiLy, cHAncEs are you and your siblings helped each other out a fair bit as you grew up together. That’s what it was like for dr. robert b. cucinotta, whose caring family dynamic helped inspire him to devote his life to medicine and take care of people every day. “i’ve got six brothers and three sisters,” he says, “and although we’re now scattered throughout the country, we keep in close contact and are accessible to each other.”

And that’s exactly how dr. cucinotta runs his practice in gastroenterology, the branch of medicine that focuses on digestive health. He and his team make it a point to always be accessible to patients, listening intently to their individual needs and concerns, and answering questions thoughtfully and thoroughly.

“We make ourselves readily available to our patients,” dr. cucinotta says. “We always take the time to actively listen and give patients the information they need in plain English.”

A lifelong bengals and reds fan born and raised on the west side of cincinnati, dr. cucinotta first became interested in medicine during his final year at La salle High school.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Earlham college (richmond, ind.) and went to medical school at ohio state university (columbus, ohio). dr. cucinotta then completed his internal medicine residency and gastroenterology fellowship at the university

of Kentucky (Lexington, Ky). it was there that he met his wife, dorie, a surgical nurse by training who later served as the school nurse for cincinnati Hills christian Academy, where all three of their chilRobert Cucinotta, M.D. dren—Zac, chloe and cyle—attended kindergarten through high school. dr. cucinotta has two offices, one in Hamilton, and the newest at mcculloughHyde memorial Hospital in oxford. “i’ve been in practice since 1989 in the Hamilton-fairfield area just south of oxford,” he says. “so while i know the oxford area well, i’m looking forward to getting to know the people here even better and providing the highest level of care to the community.” part of what makes for a meaningful caregiving experience, dr. cucinotta relates, is when your health care team can get to know you on a personal level. “my staff is all local to oxford,” he explains. “people here know each other very well, and have known each other for a long time. We take a personal interest in our patients, who are our neighbors.”

When should you see a gastroenterologist? screening for diseases like colon cancer is very important, dr. cucinotta says. He routinely performs colon cancer screening tests like colonoscopies and endoscopies for patients having upper gastrointestinal issues.

“The recommendation to screen for colon cancer for both men and women is at age 50,” dr. cucinotta states. “if there are risk factors, though, like a family member who has had colon cancer or longstanding ulcerative colitis, we’d generally start the screening process earlier than that.” dr. cucinotta recommends anyone at any age come to see him if they’re experiencing a change in bowel habits, persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping symptoms related to eating, severe heartburn that hasn’t gotten better with over-the-counter medications after two weeks, persistent nausea or vomiting, or problems swallowing.

“We’re looking to get the information we need to accurately treat whatever’s going on,” dr. cucinotta states, “whether it’s ulcers in the stomach, gall stones in the bile duct, or other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, crohn’s disease, and other forms of colitis.”

To find ouT morE AbouT sErvicEs AvAiL AbLE for you or your fAmiLy AT mccuLLougH-HydE mEmoriAL HospiTAL, pLEAsE cALL 513.523.2111 or visiT TRIHEalTH.COM.

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tastes

soup day of the

you know soup is a warm, nutritious pick-me-up, but it’s also full of surprises. tonight, why not treat your family to one of these hearty choices?

tomato soup with smoked paprika and bacon serves 4–6

n 4 slices thick-cut bacon n 1 Tb. unsalted butter n 1 yellow onion, chopped n 2 cloves garlic, minced n 2 cans (28 oz. each) crushed tomatoes

n 3 Tbs. heavy cream n 1¼ tsp. smoked paprika n Salt and freshly ground pepper In a large, heavy saucepan, fry the bacon over medium heat, turning once, until crispy, 8–10 minutes.

Transfer to paper towels. Let cool, and then crumble.

Add the butter to the pan and melt over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender. return to the saucepan and add the cream, paprika and ½ tsp. salt. return just to a boil, turn off the heat, taste and adjust the seasoning. serve, topped with the bacon and a generous grinding of pepper.

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SquaSh Soup with Sage brown butter serves 4–6

n 1 butternut squash (2 lb.), peeled and diced n 3 Tbs. olive oil n Salt and freshly ground pepper n 2 Tbs. unsalted butter n 1 yellow onion, chopped n 2 cloves garlic, minced n 4 cups vegetable broth For the SAGE BROWN BUTTER: n ¼ cup unsalted butter n 6 sage leaves OPTIONAL: n heavy cream for garnish Preheat the oven to 400˚F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Toss the squash with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the prepared baking sheet and roast until tender, about 25 minutes.

In a large, heavy pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the roasted squash and broth and bring to a boil. reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes to blend the flavors. remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Working in batches, purée the soup in a blender. return to the pot and season with salt and pepper.

To make the sage brown butter, melt the butter in a small frying pan over low heat. Add the sage leaves and cook until the butter begins to brown and the sage is very aromatic, 3–4 minutes. serve the soup drizzled with the brown butter, 1–2 sage leaves, and a swirl of cream, if desired.

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tastes

White bean and ham soup serves 4–6

n 4 slices thick-cut bacon n ½ lb. cooked ham steak, cubed n 1 Tb. olive oil n 1 small yellow onion, diced n 3 cloves garlic, minced n 2 celery ribs, diced n 2 cups chicken broth n 2 cans (15 oz. each) white beans, drained

n Salt and freshly ground pepper for the CORN BREaD CROUTONS:

n 1 Tb. unsalted butter n 1 small loaf corn bread, cut into ½-inch cubes set a large, heavy pot over mediumhigh heat. Add the bacon and cook until crispy, about 8 minutes.

Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Let cool, then crumble into bitesized pieces. set aside in a bowl.

Add the ham to the pot and cook, stirring often, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the ham to the bowl with the bacon.

Add the oil, onion, garlic and celery to the pot and sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the broth and beans and bring to a boil. reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

Purée half of the soup in a blender. return to the pot along with the ham and bacon and stir to combine. season with salt and pepper.

To make the corn bread croutons, in a frying pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the corn bread cubes and cook, turning once, until they are golden brown on both sides. serve, topped with the croutons.

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turkey noodle soup with spinach serves 8–10

n 2 Tbs. olive oil n 1 yellow onion, chopped n 3 cloves garlic, minced n 3 carrots, peeled and finely diced

n 4 celery ribs, finely diced n 1½ Tbs. minced thyme n 8 cups chicken broth n ½ lb. wide egg noodles n 2½ cups shredded cooked turkey meat

n 2 cups packed spinach leaves n Salt and freshly ground pepper In a large, heavy pot, warm the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery and thyme and sauté until the carrots begin to soften, about 8 minutes.

Add the broth and bring to a boil.

Add the egg noodles and cook until al dente, about 5 minutes.

Add the turkey and spinach and stir to combine. simmer the soup for 5 minutes to blend the flavors. season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

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EscapEs

st. barts:

a beauty on the beach

Luxury has a GaLLic accent at the chevaL BLanc st.-Barth isLe de France. By Rita GuaRna iF tHE HotEL St.-BArtH iSLE DE FrANcE WErE A WomAN,

From top, should you tire of relaxing on the beach, a tranquil pool awaits at the Cheval Blanc St.-Barth Isle de France. Enjoy cocktails for two with a breathtaking view from this private ocean-facing perch.

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you could say she married well.

French luxury brand LVmH (Louis Vuitton moët Hennessy) could have its choice of lovely “mademoiselles” when searching for a suitable match in North America, but the boutique hotel on Anse des Flamands, probably the prettiest beach on the island, won out and after a yearlong engagement (read: renovation), it joined the exalted cheval Blanc family. (other family members include courchevel in France and randheli in the maldives.)

Perhaps the best part of the union is that it appears that little has changed at the beloved hotel, now called the cheval Blanc St.-Barth isle de France. the staff—the hotel’s heart and soul—remains the same: affable, accommodating to a fault and decidedly French. the only difference is that now they don charming seersucker uniforms. Similar too are the guest quarters—40 suites, bungalows and villas, which feel less like hotel rooms than the bedrooms of a Proven al family. the whitewashed country furnishings have been upgraded with the brand’s signature taupe plus accents of the palest salmon-pink, which you’ll find on everything from beach towels to pillows to glassware. thankfully, the popular daily fashion shows remain, too. they feature resort wear from the hotel’s closet-sized boutique stuffed with everything from Pucci bikinis and stylish caftans to straw hats and jewelry. Don’t be surprised if the model, roxane, looks familiar: When she’s not strolling the sandy catwalk, she’s taking your dinner order in charmingly halting English. oh, yes, the food. As a French territory, St. Barts not surprisingly has a cuisine that reminds you of dining in the south of France. chef Yann Vinsot oversees a pair of excellent eateries on this property: La case de L’isle, featuring sophisticated French-caribbean plates (plus a 150-odd selection of wines and champagnes), and the more casual La cabane de L’isle, site of the fashion shows. only eight miles across, St. Barts (short for St. Barthélemy and sometimes spelled St. Barth) is a hilly (thanks to a number of volcanic peaks) speck popping out of the northeast caribbean in the French West indies.

Discovered by christopher columbus in 1493 (who named it for his brother Bartolomeo), the island was settled by the French and owned for a while by Sweden before returning to French control. it became chichi after the rock-

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efellers and rothschilds fell for its charm in the mid-’50s.

With no direct flights, getting to St. Barts isn’t easy. Some folks fly to St. Maarten and take a short flight or ferry across. A more civilized crossing (read: easier) is flying to San Juan, then boarding a tiny puddle-jumper. one of Tradewind Aviation’s multiple daily flights will do nicely. its Pilatus PC-12s are comfortable and sturdy—important features as the eight-seater threads between two jagged peaks before touching down on a teensy runway. (flights from St. Thomas and Antigua are also available.)

While the atmosphere is relaxed, folks do dress to impress while shopping or dining in the capital city, Gustavia, with its yacht-lined harbor. (The island hosts one of the world’s most thrilling yacht races, Les Voiles de St. Barth.) Luxury brands abound along with unique boutiques, often outposts of exclusive Parisian designers.

Prefer to test your sea legs with a more gentle cruise? rent a catamaran with crew for a day-long or half-day tour. our captain, Miguel of St. Barth Sailor, anchored in the bay near Colombier, where we swam to the beach (the only one of 16 beaches not easily accessible), after which we sipped Champagne and nibbled on a gourmet lunch prepared by Cheval Blanc (lest we miss the restaurants’ gastronomic delights too much).

Back on terra firma, we proceeded to Bonito, where fashionistas flock to enjoy a delicious Latin American menu alongside unrivaled views of the harbor from an open-air pavilion. if your “cruise” doesn’t offer enough of a respite, the spa back at Cheval Blanc will chase away any lingering stress. it offers signature Guerlain treatments. (it’s the only Guerlain spa in the Caribbean.) Try the Solar Escape, a body massage combined with a facial, or let a beauty coach choose an indulgent experience for you. do you think you could enjoy an island with no casinos, no all-inclusives, no cruise ships in port? An island with no poverty, no crime, no beach vendors? With unfailingly polite people, awe-inspiring vistas, white sand (or shell or stone) beaches and top-notch cuisine? i do.

Clockwise from top, a private pool, one of the many amenities of the tucked-away Garden Suites; modeling the statement-making fashions available at the tony boutique; snorkeling in the blue waters of the Caribbean right in the resort’s backyard; the ultimate in luxury: a three-bedroom villa set on the white sand beach; salade ni oise, perfect for a light lunch.

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BIGGER. NEWER. BETTER. Open Now. Welcome to our newly improved, state-of-the-art Emergency Department.

Expanded facility with 14,000 square feet of space

At McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital | TriHealth,

Central workstation with direct patient visibility at all times

some things are changing for the better. We recently made our nationally recognized Emergency Department more accessible to patients, staff and the entire Oxford region.

There’s more space, improved services and better access to specialists. But one thing hasn’t changed throughout

Individual treatment rooms with increased privacy

Separate areas for patients exposed to hazards and infectious diseases Separate entrances for walk-in patients and emergency squads

our expansion: our commitment to providing the best care possible, thanks to our board-certified emergency medicine physicians and nurses.

Two senior-focused specialty rooms and one pediatric-friendly room

Call 513 523 2111 or visit TriHealth.com/MHMH 110 North Poplar Street, Oxford, OH 45056

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