SUMMER 2016 | Volume 2, Issue 3

PHOTO BY STEVE BIGLEY

DO YOU NEED A NEW KNEE?

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A Healthier You

PET THERAPY BENEFITS

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JOIN US FOR A GROUNDBREAKING

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St. Thomas More Hospital

TEAMING UPThe best game plan for preventing sports injuries in teens is to have experts on the sidelines. Page 4

St. Thomas More Hospital is partnering with local high schools to minimize the injury risk to teen athletes. From left to right: Jeremy Nix, Florence High School’s varsity football coach; Dr. Jacob Patterson, orthopedic surgeon;

Rick Kamerzell, physical therapist; and Tom O’Rourke, Cañon City High School’s head football coach.

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Dr. Lee McFadden, Orthopedic Surgeon

DO YOU NEED A KNEE REPLACEMENT?THIS PAST WINTER, the St. Thomas More Physician Group welcomed orthopedic surgeon Lee McFadden, MD. We asked him, “Who needs a knee replacement?” His answer might surprise you.

“My answer is no one needs a joint replacement,” McFadden says. “The people who should consider a joint replacement are those whose quality of life is impacted enough by their arthritis that it’s worth it to them to do it.”

Look back at yourself five years ago, McFadden suggests, and compare it to where you are now. Have you gradually given up activities along the way to the point that your former self wouldn’t recognize you today?“Joint replacement can dramatically improve people’s quality of life,” he says. “It’s very rewarding to participate in that.”

A West Point graduate, McFadden studied medicine at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md. Fellowship-trained in primary and revision hip and knee replacement, he also treats sports injuries and trauma. Entering active duty as a second lieutenant in 1987 and retiring from the U.S. Army as a colonel in 2013, McFadden’s first and last assignments were at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.

He and his wife, Janice, have both served overseas in a combat theater — him in Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Janice in Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. They have four children, two in high school and two in college.

MAN TO MAN: HEALTH MATTERSIT’S A FACT. GOOD HEALTH FEELS GOOD.

“I feel 10 times better after a long hike,” says Trent Boggs, who works in radiology at St. Thomas More Hospital. He visits the wellness center there to keep up to date on health information and periodically monitor his body fat.

Boggs and his wife go hiking almost every weekend in the summer. And while staying active is fun and relaxing, it’s serious business, too. The health benefits of an active lifestyle can help improve your odds of a long and healthy life. Here are three notable numbers every man should know:

GET IN TOUCHTo make an

appointment with Dr. McFadden, call

719-285-2646.

1. BLOOD PRESSURE

Left untreated, high blood pressure can cause heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, erectile dysfunction, and vision loss. A healthy lifestyle can help control blood pressure, which tends to rise as you age.

120/80 is considered normal

2. WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE

The size of your waistline rather than your weight may be a better predictor of your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and premature death.

40 inches or less is ideal (35 for women)

3. YOUR BIRTHDAY

Why not let your birthday be a reminder to schedule an annual exam? “It’s good to get in to your doctor once a year,” Boggs says. Screening tests are scheduled according to age, as well as personal and family history, so a regular connection with a personal physician is an important piece of preventive health.

It’s never too early to start annual checkups

To establish a relationship with a primary care provider, visit stmhospital.org/primary-care.

Trent Boggs

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DON’T SWEAT IT

YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION ONLINE, ANYTIME YOU WANT ITCENTURA HEALTH, Colorado’s largest health care network, makes it easy for patients to keep track and share all of their medical records between doctors and the hospital. MyCenturaHealth keeps all test results, doctor notes, images, and any other type of medical record from any Centura Health doctor, hospital, or outpatient facility in one electronic record. On MyCenturaHealth, you can:

Review medications, conditions, test results, allergies, and immunizations

See and get reminders about appointments (with St. Thomas More Physician Group providers only)

Download and print your medical records

Email your doctors

Members of the network, from primary care doctors to hospital emergency rooms, can provide better care by having instant access to your health records, including past tests or allergy records. And once you are in the system, you will save time each visit during registration — you simply will verify your information.

Learn more and sign up for MyCenturaHealth at stmhospital.org/mycenturahealth.

EVERYONE HAS HEARD the dictate to drink 8 cups of water a day. That’s easy to remember, but it’s really not that simple.

Recommendations for hydration vary by gender, age, health, activity, and climate. The ideal amounts range from 4 glasses to more than 16!

According to the Institute of Medicine, men should drink about 13 cups, while women need about 9. For pregnant women, the USDA recommendation is 12-13 cups a day.

Water, which makes up about 60 percent of your body weight on average, is

essential for every function your body performs, from carrying nutrients to cells to flushing out waste and cooling you on a hot day. Even slight dehydration through perspiration or inadequate intake can make

you feel tired, achy, dizzy, or even dull your thinking, says Aaron Lloyd, MD, with St. Thomas More Physician Group Family Medicine.

In our dry climate here in Colorado, I believe it is very common for symptoms of headache, dizziness,

and fatigue to be at least in part caused by dehydration. I try to recommend to all my patients to ensure they are drinking sufficient amounts of non-caffeinated fluids daily.”If you rarely feel thirsty and your urine is not dark, your intake is probably sufficient.

YOU CAN LEAD A HUMAN TO WATERTo avoid dehydration and function optimally:

Drink a glass of water or healthy substitute with each meal and between each meal

Drink before, during, and after exercise

Drink more when the weather is hot or humid

Drink more at a high altitude, which is considered to be any elevation over 5,000 feet

Eat fresh fruit and vegetables with high water content

Drink more when you have a fever, diarrhea, or are vomiting

Drink more if you have a bladder infection or kidney stones

Caffeinated drinks have long been suspected of causing dehydration. However, recent studies suggest caffeine has a slight diuretic effect — but it doesn’t dehydrate.

If you experience confusion, seizures, fainting, shortness of breath, or do not urinate for 12 or more hours, seek immediate care at the nearest ER. To find out wait times at the St. Thomas More Hospital ER, go online to stmhospital.org.

24/7

Summer is prime time

for dehydration

Dr. Aaron Lloyd

orthopedic wellness

I SHOULDER INJURIESSeen in: volleyball, tennis, football (particularly quarterbacks), swimming, and baseball (especially pitchers)The biggest issue with shoulder injuries is a repetitive overhead motion, such as when serving or spiking in volleyball.

As with any overuse injury, the key is limiting the motion. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises not playing a single sport more than five days a week — with at least one day off from any organized sport. Young athletes also should play on just one team per season and take two to three months a year off from their chosen sport, the academy recommends.

Other frequent shoulder injuries involve instability, where a joint is out of its usual position, or impingement, which occurs when the shoulder muscles rub against the top part of the shoulder blade excessively. A common injury site in the shoulder is the rotator cuff, which is made up of several muscles and tendons that hold the joint together.

Training Tips

Work with a coach or trainer on exercises to strengthen the rotator cuff. Strong shoulder muscles can help maintain stability in the joint and prevent injury.

Don’t neglect your core. Professional athletes frequently tout the benefits of a strong core for throwing.

Today’s teen athletes have the drive to train hard and the will to play harder. Competitive athletics offer a great deal of benefits — physical health, mental well-being, teamwork skills, and strategic reasoning, so keeping your young athlete injury free is paramount. Here’s what you should know about preventing common orthopedic sports injuries in teens.

The keys to preventionSome injuries, of course, can’t be prevented — there will be falls and tackles and awkward landings. But there are some steps a young

athlete can take to minimize his or her risk.

The first is to be mindful of overuse, says Jacob Patterson, MD, orthopedic surgeon at St. Thomas More Hospital. Overuse injuries are especially a problem in younger athletes because they can lead to inflammation around the growth plates. Serious damage to this vulnerable part of the skeletal structure can affect the bone’s growth.

The key is adequate rest, which can be hard with so many youth leagues and year-round options for many sports. But rest doesn’t mean inactivity. Cross-training and playing different sports every season are great ways to keep kids active and well-conditioned.

In addition, Patterson offers these tips for specific injuries:

GAME PLANDEVISE A WINNING PLAY TO KEEP YOUR TEEN FREE OF INJURY

I KNEE INJURIES Seen in: football, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and gymnastics“We see quite a few knee injuries in high school athletes,” Patterson says.

Dislocation of the kneecap — where the kneecap slides out of its proper location due to a direct blow or fall — is common in football and soccer. Meniscus (cartilage) tears also are more common in contact sports.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are particularly common among football, soccer, volleyball, and basketball players. Quick changes in direction, sudden stops, landing wrong from a jump, and direct contact are common causes.

Training Tips

Work on strengthening the muscles around the knee — such as exercises that strengthen the quadriceps (front of the thigh) and hamstrings (back of the thigh).

Learn proper technique for running, pivoting, and jumping. Replace running shoes as needed. As shoes get old, their

shock-absorption and stability benefits wane, which can be tough on knees.

Dr. Jacob Patterson, Orthopedic Surgeon

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I FOOT AND ANKLE INJURIESSeen in: basketball, soccer, track and field,

cross-country, football, and cheerleadingIt’s estimated that half of all ankle sprains occur

during an athletic activity — with basketball the leading culprit among sports. Athletes who do a lot

of running in competition or training are also vulnerable to a wide variety of overuse injuries with their ankles.

The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons advises that young athletes never play with heel or foot pain, which tends to go up during fall and winter sports seasons and when kids are growing. That’s because the pain could eventually lead to difficulty walking and the need for more complex therapies.

Training Tips

Brace or tape weak or previously injured ankles. A trainer can show your athlete how to do it properly.

Choosing the right footwear is essential to foot and ankle health. Cleats should be replaced often, and inserts to raise the heel might be helpful as well. A foot and ankle specialist can help you determine the best option.

A test with ImPACT

Student athletes in Pueblo and Fremont counties are encouraged to obtain pre-concussion testing to establish a cognitive baseline. The test, called the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and

Cognitive Testing or ImPACT, is available at all local high schools. Should the athlete experience a concussion during the season, the results of testing after the injury can be compared to the baseline ImPACT test to ensure that neurological and cognitive functioning have returned to normal.

For more information, visit stmhospital.org/concussion.

STMHOSPITAL.ORG SUMMER 2016 5

SURGE NS on the sidelinesAs a contact sport, football carries a risk of fractures and dislocations, among other injuries.

“The quicker you can appropriately treat them, the better the outcome — and the less painful it will be for the athlete,” says Rick Kamerzell, a physical therapist and the administrative director of orthopedic services at St. Thomas More Hospital.

That’s why St. Thomas More Orthopaedic Services partners with Florence High School and Cañon City High School to ensure one of the department’s three physicians, a physician’s assistant, or Kamerzell is on the sidelines for varsity home football games.

“It’s our goal to bring up the level of competency on the sidelines,” Kamerzell says. “There’s no one better to triage and care for musculoskeletal injuries and give advice than an orthopedic surgeon.”

For the Cañon City High School football team, it’s made a huge difference, says head coach Tom O’Rourke. “It really helps us as a coaching staff because we’re not worried about diagnosing somebody,” he says.

Both coaches also appreciate being able to reach out to Kamerzell and his team in between games, as players sometimes don’t realize they have an issue until a few days after the game.

“We can have a kid come in on Monday, and we can call Kamerzell. They’ll get the kid in and get him ready by Friday,” says Jeremy Nix, Florence High School’s varsity football coach. “I don’t think we can thank those guys enough who contribute to the success of our program and helping our kids play week to week.”

Rick Kamerzell, Administrative Director of

Orthopedic Services

STUDIES SHOW that young women are two to eight times more likely than men to injure their ACL (a ligament in the knee). Some experts believe that the natural alignment of women’s knees might be at fault. Some evidence also points to the impact of hormones.

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emotional health

Healing Paw-sibilitiesHow dogs are lifting spirits at St. Thomas More Hospital

and the Progressive Care Center

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE COMING HOME to a furry face and wagging tail. No matter how hard a day you’ve had, you can’t help but smile when your dog’s head tilts and those big eyes beg, “Pet me!” The same is true for patients in the hospital, including those dealing with serious health issues and injuries. A visit from a pet ambassador at St. Thomas More Hospital is enough to perk patients right up.

“Generally, people seem to be happy to see the dogs,” says Cindy Lau, a pet therapy volunteer. “Not everyone’s a dog person but even if they’re not, they usually smile when we come through the halls.”

St. Thomas More Hospital has two pet therapy volunteers and a total of four pet ambassadors. Lau owns Corey, a 4-year-old Weimaraner. John Henshaw’s pet ambassadors are Sadie-Two, a 6-year-old Great Pyrenees; Hiker, an 8-year-old Bernese mountain dog; and Soxie, a 6-year-old border collie.

PET BENEFITSResearch has long touted the benefits of pet ownership. In fact, having furry friends has been associated with heart health, decreased pain after joint surgery, increased social behaviors in children with autism, decreased loneliness, and increased opportunities for physical activity and socialization.

“Simply touching an animal can reduce blood pressure and offer other positive responses,” Henshaw says.

Inside the hospital, interaction with the dogs brings widespread joy. “A lot of the time, the dogs are as much a help/stress reliever for the staff as they are for patients,” Lau says.

The most heartwarming moments come when a pediatric patient is comforted by one of the dogs.

“We went to the ER not too long ago because we’d heard a boy had cut his leg,” Lau says. “As soon as he saw the dog, he gave her a big hug and started telling her about his own dog. It’s amazing how dogs can put people right at ease.”

CERTIFIED TO SERVESt. Thomas More Hospital requires all incoming pet ambassadors be certified by a national agency, such as Therapy Dogs

International, and also complete an annual veterinarian certification. Dogs and their owners are evaluated as a team and must meet certain criteria before being certified. Certifying agencies ensure dogs have the proper disposition and that the owner has proper control over the animal.

Certain dogs have just the right personalities for being pet ambassadors. Henshaw’s Sadie-Two found her calling by being a pet ambassador. While he sometimes enters Sadie-Two into obedience competitions, he gets more satisfaction out of volunteering.

“With competition obedience events, you win or you lose,” he says. “With therapy, you win — every time.”

WANT TO GET INVOLVED?St. Thomas More Hospital welcomes volunteers with all different skills to help out at the information resource desk, admissions, patient discharge, radiology, medical records, and the gift shop. We even have a VolunTEEN program. Contact Katrina Hall, director of volunteer services, at 719-285-2104 or katrinahall@centura.org to learn more today.

Corey, a 4-year-old Weimaraner, brings a smile to patients as she makes her rounds as a pet ambassador with her owner, Cindy Lau.

1 YearDog owners are more likely to be alive one year after a heart attack than people who don’t own dogs, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health.

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7STMHOSPITAL.ORG SUMMER 2016

COMING SOONCARE THAT’S CONVENIENT, accessible, consolidated, and right in your community.

That’s what Fremont County residents will be able to get come next summer when a new medical office building opens on the campus of St. Thomas More Hospital. The building, being constructed in partnership with Centura Health and The Boldt Company, will house primary care physician offices as well as specialty offices for a wide variety of medical specialists, such as OB/GYN and orthopedics.

Helping people stay healthy, get care early when a problem arises, and manage ongoing health issues are the goals of a concept being developed statewide by Centura Health called Colorado Health Neighborhoods. This medical office building will be at the hub of the Fremont County Health Neighborhood. Medical services will be focused on providing preventive care, health screenings and regular checkups, chronic disease management, as well as early diagnosis and treatment.

UNDER CONSTRUCTIONConstruction of the new medical office building will kick off with a community groundbreaking ceremony this summer. For this project, St. Thomas More Hospital and Boldt will partner with RTA Architects (RTA), who were also involved in the newly redesigned Birth Center and C-Section suite, as well as the Medical/Surgical nursing unit.

“This is an exciting time for everyone at St. Thomas More and for our community,” says Sheri Trahern, chief executive officer of St. Thomas More Hospital. “We believe that health care consumers in the communities we serve will prefer to seek care locally at the various physician clinics.”

CONSOLIDATION AND COLLABORATIONSt. Thomas More Physician Group providers are currently in multiple locations on Sell Avenue, Phay Avenue, Yale Place, and Ohio Avenue. With the new multispecialty facility, most of these providers will be under one roof. The consolidation will allow for:

p Significantly improved collaboration between different types of physicians on patient carep Increased efficiency with practice operationsp Improved patient flow

Patients will enjoy an intentionally created healing environment inside the building. Trahern hopes that this new environment also will be attractive to prospective physicians and support teams.

“Our research has shown that having a medical office building will enhance our recruitment efforts in both primary and specialty care,” she says.

NEW Colorado Health Neighborhood makes getting health care easier for area families

YOU’RE INVITEDJoin us as we break

ground for the state-of-the-art medical office

building on the St. Thomas More campus.

Tuesday, Aug. 16,10:30-11:30 a.m.Light hors d’oeuvres

will be served.

RSVP by Thursday, Aug. 11, at

719-285-2179 or online at

stmhospital.org/calendar.

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1338 Phay AvenueCañon City, CO 81212

St. Thomas More Hospital

St. Thomas More Hospital is part of Centura Health, the region’s leading health care network.Centura Health does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, religion, creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, and marital status in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. For further information about this policy, contact Centura Health’s Office of the General Counsel at 303-804-8166. Copyright © Centura Health, 2016.

MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONYTUESDAY, AUG 16 10:30-11:30 A.M.Join us for an official groundbreaking! Hear from representatives from St. Thomas More Hospital, The Boldt Company, RTA Architects, and more about how the state-of-the-art, multispecialty medical office building will offer convenient, accessible patient care in Fremont County. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Location: St. Thomas More Medical Office Building siteCost: FREERegistration: RSVP by Thursday, Aug. 11, to 719-285-2179 or stmhospital.org/calendar

ENTERTAINMENT IN THE PARKTUESDAY, AUG 30 6:30-8:30 P.M.St. Thomas More Hospital is the sponsor of Entertainment in the Park, presented by the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce, featuring the Atomic Fireballs. Join us!Location: Veterans Park, 1st Street and Highway 50Cost: FREE

INSPIRATION

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDDenver, CO

Permit No. 4773

Join our health experts to learn how you can make small changes that make a big impact on improving your health! For a complete list of classes and details, visit stmhospital.org/calendar.

INSPIREINSPIRE is published quarterly by St. Thomas More Hospital as part of our Mission to nurture the health of

the people in our community. The information herein is meant to complement, not replace, advice provided by a licensed health care provider. To comment or unsubscribe, email us at inspire@centura.org.

INSPIRE is produced by Clementine Health Marketing. Executive Editor: Jillian Maes.

ST M H O S P I TA L.O RG

Save the Date!5TH ANNUAL MARGARITAS & MAMMOSMONDAY, OCT 17

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATIONWEDNESDAYS, SEP 7-28 6-9 P.M.Prepare yourself, your partner, and baby for labor and delivery during this four-week program. Learn what to expect in your third trimester, labor techniques, pain management, breastfeeding, and postdelivery care.Location: St. Thomas More Hospital, Community RoomCost: $25 for you and a support person; scholarships available upon request.Registration: stmhospital.org/childbirth-education or 719-285-2058

CHILD HEALTH & SAFETY DAYSATURDAY, SEP 10 9 A.M.-NOONFREE hands-on injury prevention education for kids 2-14 years old; car seat checkpoint and giveaway; interactive stations that feature community partners in youth services, nutrition and dental, ATV and horse safety, and more; also featuring Cañon City Fire and Police, a bounce house, other giveaways, and a prize package!Location: St. Thomas More Parking LotCost: FREE

Over 75 years of pioneering health care for you.

St. Thomas More Hospital offers the following ongoing education, support, and resources:Diabetes education classes and monthly support group; to learn more, visit stmhospital.org/diabetes or call 719-285-2712. Monthly bariatric weight loss support group; to learn more, call 719-285-2548.Women’s Wellness Connection provides FREE breast and cervical cancer screenings to qualifying women; to learn more, visit stmhospital.org/wwc or call 719-285-2473.

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