Martha Jefferson Magazine

Lives forever changed before 40
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Martha Makes Debut as Martha Jefferson Hospital Mascot

Martha Jefferson Hospital would like to welcome the newest addition to its team – Martha. The one-year-old “Goldendoodle” has been welcomed by employees and the construction crew at the new hospital site as the mascot for the hospital. “In a setting like ours, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the serious nature of our work and the emotion of patients, families and visitors,” said Jim

Haden, president. “We’ve enjoyed Martha’s visits downtown and to the new hospital site.”

To see photos of Martha and keep track of her as she grows, click here.

Martha Jefferson Adds Second Bariatric Surgeon

Martha Jefferson Hospital is pleased to announce we have added a second surgeon to our bariatric team. Katie Trahan, MD, who has been a general surgeon with Martha Jefferson Surgical Associates since 2007, now has privileges to perform the Gastric Lap Band Procedure. She is one of two female surgeons in the state.

Dr. Trahan came to us after four years as an assistant professor in the Department of General surgery, and as the Assistant Director of Trauma at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas. She completed her undergraduate degree at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia and her Medical Doctor degree at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. She completed her residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, where she also served Chief Resident.

Dr. Trahan is specialty trained in general surgery, trauma surgery and bariatric surgery. She is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Medical Association, Association of Women Surgeons, and the Society for Laparoscopic Surgeons.

For more information about Dr. Trahan and the Bariatric Care Center at Martha Jefferson Hospital, visit www.MJHBariatricCare.org. Also, learn more about bariatric surgery in Dr. Trahan's own words.

Forest Lakes Family Medicine Named Best Family Doctors

Albemarle Family Magazine has listed Forest Lakes Family Medicine as the best family doctors in the Charlottesville area in their December 2009 issue. The magazine surveyed more than 1,200 people about their favorite places in the area.

"I was thrilled for all of us to be recognized by our patients and that they cared enough to respond to the survey," said Susan Beach, office manager at the practice. "We're dedicated to providing the best service we can to our patients and their families and appreciate that they noticed."

Forest Lakes Family Medicine has four full-time physicians as well as a nurse practitioner.

You can see the full results of the survey in Albemarle Family Magazine.

Martha Jefferson Hospital Offers Advanced, Non-Invasive Brain Cancer Treatment

Martha Jefferson Hospital has added to its already comprehensive arsenal of cancer care services a state-of-the-art procedure called stereotactic radiosurgery or SRS. This non-surgical procedure uses radiation beams to pinpoint brain tumors with sub-millimeter precision. These extremely focused radiation beams shrink the brain tumor while sparing surrounding normal brain tissue. The procedure is performed using the Trilogy® Stereotactic linear accelerator already in place at Martha Jefferson's Cancer Care Center.

"It is rare for community hospitals like Martha Jefferson to have such advanced equipment," said Faye Satterly, Director of Cancer Services and Planetree at Martha Jefferson. "But thanks to the excellent physicians and staff at Martha Jefferson and its outstanding technical resources, we can offer these and other advanced radiation treatments that rival resources available at academic medical centers. We offer them, moreover, in a compassionate and convenient community hospital setting."

Although stereotactic radiosurgery has been in use for more than 20 years, the technology and its new imaging capabilities have evolved rapidly in recent years, ensuring greater accessibility and improved outcomes for patients. The precise and non-surgical nature of the procedure provides significant advantages to the patient. These include few side effects. This is generally an out-patient procedure with short recovery time.

The new equipment joins the extensive array of advanced radiation oncology techniques already available at the Martha Jefferson Cancer Care Center.

For more information on radiosurgery or other advanced radiation oncology treatment techniques, contact Martha Jefferson Health Connection at (434) 654-7009 or toll free, 1-888-652-6663.

Self Check-In Kiosks Prove to be a Success

Martha Jefferson Hospital recently implemented self check-in kiosks to make the patient registration process more efficient and effective. Three portable devices and one desktop were put into use September 1st, 2009, making Martha Jefferson the only hospital in the area to use the technology.

The new process dramatically decreases the time patients have to spend in registration on the day of their service. Wait times for check-in have been cut down to virtually nothing thanks to the new process.

"Our goal is to have every patient be early, on time, but never late to a scheduled appointment", says Sharon Scranton Director, Revenue Cycle. "The self check-in process has proven to be a valuable asset and helps keep both our patients and our clinical staff on time for scheduled services."

As part of the new process, patients receive a phone call from a member of the Martha Jefferson S.P.A.(scheduling, pre-registration & authorizations) team. During this call, demographic and insurance information is verified and appropriate authorizations are confirmed. All that's left to do on the day of service is to check-in at the front desk with a valid ID card and insurance cards and sign any necessary consents forms.

The kiosks are currently used only in Cardwell for scheduled and pre-registered patients. Staff are available at all times to help patients who request assistance when using the kiosks.

Martha Jefferson is attempting to expand the process to the Outpatient Care Center.

8Martha Jefferson Launches Heart to Heart Support Group

Martha Jefferson Hospital is launching a new forum to provide an outlet for people living with heart or vascular disease to gain information and talk to others who are living through similar experiences. Heart to Heart is the brainchild of a Charlottesville resident who couldn't find the support she was looking for after suffering a heart-attack of her own nearly two years ago.

"The Heart To Heart group came out of a need to look at emotional recovery for the survivors of a cardiac crisis and their family," said Amanda Megargel, heart attack survivor and co-founder of the program.

A heart event is a life-altering event that often remains with a person for their entire life, even well after the event is over. Realizing how important support systems are in the recovery process, Martha Jefferson is proud to help support the program.

"You're often left with this emotional fall out which is, 'why did this happen to me?' There are stages some people go through, including shock and denial," noted Cathy Reece, manager of Health and Wellness at Martha Jefferson.

"The Heart to Heart group provides a chance to meet somebody who has gone through what you have gone through and has come out on the other side," added Megargel.

In addition to monthly meetings featuring presentations by cardiologists and time for conversation, volunteer mentors are also made available to patients at Martha Jefferson Hospital. The mentors, who are also living with heart disease, are partnered with new heart and vascular patients to ensure the new patient has an immediate network for education and reassurance after their event.

Heart to Heart meets the fourth Thursday of every month from 6-7:30 PM at the Outpatient Care Center on Pantops.

For more information on Heart to Heart, call Health Connection at 434.654.7009 or 1.888.652.6663.

Martha Jefferson Named Fit Friendly Company by American Heart Association

Martha Jefferson Hospital has been awarded the Fit Friendly Company award by the American Heart Association for the second year in a row. The award recognizes businesses that go above and beyond when it comes to their employees' health.

"I am extremely proud of our organization and the commitment it has made to provide the necessary tools to help our employees reach their physical fitness and health goals," said Joe Connor, Martha Jefferson Hospital Disease Management and Wellness Coordinator.

Martha Jefferson Hospital has a fitness center on-site with state of the art equipment that's open 24/7 for employees and their spouses. Health and Wellness programs are also in place at the hospital to help employees or their spouses stop smoking, control diabetes and cholesterol and help with their medical needs.

As an organization, Martha Jefferson is also committed to promoting ongoing weight management and exercise for all staff. A "Stairway to Health," featuring beautiful art work and music, is just one example of how employees are encouraged to take the stairs.

"In the future we will be introducing programs to help our employees get out and walk. We also want to support and encourage our employees who have reached their fitness and health goals 'maintain the gain.' I thank the American Heart Association for sponsoring the Fit Friendly Program and I am preparing for our organization to reach the Platinum Achievement next year," said Connor.

The hospital was presented with the award at the Heart Walk held October 18th at Monticello High School.

To find out more about the Fit Friendly program, visit the American Heart Association or see the entire list of award recipients in Fortune Magazine.

Topping Off Ceremony Held at Martha Jefferson Replacement Hospital Construction Site

Hospital officials, community members and the Mortenson Construction team gathered to celebrate the topping off of the replacement hospital Wednesday October 14th, 2009 at Peter Jefferson Place. The event signified a major milestone in the construction process.

Two separate ceremonies were held during the day. In the morning a brief presentation was made to the 300 workers on-site and then a bar-b-que lunch was hosted in their honor. Later in the evening donors who have helped make the replacement hospital project possible were recognized. Everyone involved received the chance to sign their name on the steel beam before it was secured in place.

Both the American flag and a Christmas tree were attached to the beam as it was secured in place. The Christmas tree symbolizes a major milestone has been reached in the construction process, and also signifies a safe work environment, as the risk of injury decreases once all the steel is set in place. In addition, the Christmas tree tradition is seen by some as a good luck charm for the future occupants of the building.

Incorporating a Christmas tree into topping off ceremonies has become an important custom for the steel-construction industry across the country. Although the exact origin is unknown, many believe the tradition has its roots in Scandinavian culture.

Planning for the replacement hospital began in 2003 and construction started in the summer of 2008. The 500,000 square-foot facility costs $275 million and will be located on an 84-acre campus. Construction is set to be completed in 2012.

Replacement Hospital Construction Site "Quick Facts"

• 300 workers on site per day
• 5,000,000 pounds of steel
• 43,000 tons of concrete (approximately)
• 4.3 miles of site utilities
• 7 miles of curb & gutter
• 10,000 Lineal feet of sidewalks

Martha Jefferson Hospital Received the Following Media Coverage:

NBC 29

CBS 19

The Daily Progress

WINA

The Hook

Nelson County Life

Local Men Line Up for Martha Jefferson Hospital’s 17th Annual Prostate Screening

Dozens of men lined up an hour before the doors even opened for the 17th annual free prostate cancer screening at Martha Jefferson Hospital. The event, held Saturday September 26th from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., drew a crowd of 342 men, an increase from last year. More than 30 percent of the participants were African-American men over the age of 40, a group of individuals that is considered at high-risk for prostrate cancer.

The screening included a simple blood test as well as a brief exam by a physician. Twenty-three men were flagged as having elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in their blood and there were 15 abnormal exams. Although the test results don’t necessarily mean there is a problem, those individuals with higher than normal numbers were noted as needing follow up. All men over the age of 50 are encouraged to be screened once every year.

If you missed the prostate screening and are a male over the age of 50 (over 40 if you are African-American), call Health Connection at (434) 654-7009 for a physician referral.