MaternityCare, - Tift Regional Medical Center

TI F T R EGIONAL M EDIC AL CENTER SUMMER 2008THE BESTMaternity Care,Close to Home3Foodsto HelpLower YourCholesterolCould You HaveASPARTAMEPoisoning?Join us for theAnnualWomen‘sEvent.Saturday, August 169 a.m.–noonUGA Tifton CampusConference Center

itsThe Diet DebateAspartame—a controversial artificial sweetener found in several diet drinks andfoods—has been at the center of a health debate for years.After completing more than 100 toxicology and clinical studies, the U.S. Food andDrug Administration approved aspartame as safe for consumption by the generalpopulation and found no link between the substance and serious health conditions.However, a significant number of people believe they suffer from aspartamepoisoning. Symptoms associated with aspartame poisoning include headaches,dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, memory loss, and joint pain.If you suspect you suffer from side effects of aspartame, try avoiding all aspartameproducts for 60 days. If symptoms persist, contact your physician.To find a primary care physician, visit www.tiftregional.com.Beat theAfternoonBlahsFind yourself drifting away after lunch?Use these simple tricks to stay alert.• Eat breakfast. Skipping a morningmeal or just grabbing a coffee could becontributing to your afternoon drowsiness.Instead, eat a well-balanced breakfast.Carbohydrates give you energy andprotein helps you focus.• Choose lunch wisely. Don’t eat foodsthat are high in fat, such as fast foodhamburgers or milkshakes. A fatty mealtakes longer to digest and can add tofeelings of sluggishness.• Be a stair master. Walking up and downseveral flights of stairs will get your bloodpumping and shake off sleepy spells.Three Steps toFinancial SecurityFollow these steps to get your financial future on track.1 Invest in yourself. Your education and job skills are the most important factorsin finding a great job. Keep yourself marketable through continuing education and training.2 Start saving early. Treating your savings account as an expense, or setting asidean amount to be automatically transferred into savings each month, can make all thedifference when it comes time to retire.3 Watch what you borrow. Tap into your credit for things that last, suchas purchasing a home or paying for education, not for a shopping spree orextravagant vacation.T I F T R E G I O N A L M E D I C A L C E N T E R P R O F I L E SDarchelle Downing, Wound Care Center, 2 years with TRMCDarchelle loves the challenges and diversity of the healthcare field. Outsideof work, Darchelle is often called the little Martha Stewart and owns almostevery kitchen gadget available. She would love to be a professional chef inanother life, and she often endures teasing about her cookbook collection.2healthON HEALTH SUMMER 2008

BreathingRoomfor Better HealthIt may not surprise you that beingconfined to your home or neighborhoodcould be damaging to your emotional wellbeing,but did you know it also may bedetrimental to your body?Findings from a Johns Hopkins Universitystudy suggest restricted life-space maygo hand-in-hand with physical frailty inolder women. The study involved almost600 women aged 65 or older who initiallyhad no signs of frailty, such as muscleweakness, weight loss, and fatigue.After three years, researchers concludedthat those who left their neighborhoodsfewer than four times a week were morelikely to become frail, and those who neverleft their homes faced a high risk of mortality.To stay healthy and happy, keep in touchwith friends and family, and organizeseveral outings each week.KeepYourFeetSun SafeMom’s Survival GuidetoSummer BreakTry these two tips to make the most of having your children at home for the summer,while also giving you some personal time.1 Create a schedule. Write it down, even breaking up each item by the hour. Thisis especially helpful for younger children who need more structure during their day.Write in naptime, chores, and playtime with mom.2 Get some help. During the summer, most teenagers are trying to find summerjobs. Find a responsible teen helper to play with your children while you run errands,complete housework, or take a much-needed break.While it’s common to slather onsunscreen to prevent skin cancer, arecent study found many Americansare forgetting the one place that’soften under diagnosed: their feet.According to the American College ofFoot and Ankle Surgeons, the survivalrate for malignant melanoma—the mostdeadly form of skin cancer—on the feetis almost 35 percent lower than for therest of the body. Patients are less likely tonotice these melanoma spots, which maybe found under a toenail or on the sole.To protect your feet, cover the topsand bottoms with sunscreen and checkregularly for suspicious moles orother discolorations.To find a physician, visit www.tiftregional.com.T I F T R E G I O N A L M E D I C A L C E N T E R P R O F I L E SLinda Ellison, Wound Care Center, 19 years with TRMCWhen Linda is not working, she loves spending time with her nieces andnephews. “I learn so much from them,” says Linda. “Out of the mouths ofbabes come so many of life’s lessons—good lessons. They tell it like it is, forgetit, and move on.” She also enjoys playing the piano, working in the yard, andplaying with her dog Daisy.ON HEALTH SUMMER 20083

Be Happy at Any AgeThink depression is a normal partof aging? Think again. Happinesshas no age limits.Everyone has good and bad days—it’spart of life. However, when your bad daysstart to outnumber the good, you may besuffering from depression. According tothe American Psychological Association,depression is one of the most commonmental health issues experienced byolder adults. The condition is oftenunder diagnosed because it is mistakenas irritability, fatigue, side effects frommedication, or as a natural reaction to lifechanges that occur with age.“Despite its prevalence, depression isnot a normal or inevitable part of gettingolder,” says Tisha Williams, MD, familypractice physician on staff at Tift RegionalMedical Center. “A family physician ormental health professional can treatthe condition through counseling,support groups, or prescriptionantidepressant medications.”You can help prevent depressionthrough healthy eating and beingphysically active, as well as keeping intouch with family and friends.Dr. Williams practices with the FamilyHealth Center of Tiftarea and is on themedical staff at TRMC. She can bereached at (229) 387-9205.Lower CholesterolwithHeart-Healthy Foods“Women can lower their cholesterol levels and their risk for heartdisease by making lifestyle changes,” says Margaret Richardson-Nixon, MD, internal medicine physician at Tift Regional MedicalCenter. “Women should avoid tobacco, exercise at least 30 minutesmost days of the week, and eat a healthy diet featuring cholesterolfightingfoods.”Smart Foods• One and a half cups of cooked oatmeal provide 4.5 gramsof soluble fiber. Eating five to 10 grams of soluble fibereach day decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL)—“bad”cholesterol—by five percent. Other sources include apples,barley, and prunes.• Research has shown walnuts lower cholesterol levels andkeep blood vessels healthy and elastic. Try eating a smallhandful as a snack three to four days each week.• Drinking iced or hot tea can help prevent the oxidationof LDL cholesterol—the substance that leads to plaqueaccumulation in arteries—improving artery function.All patients should consult with their physicians beforebeginning an exercise program or changing their diet.Dr. Richardson-Nixon practices with Affinity Health Groupand is on the medical staff at TRMC. She can be reachedat (229) 391-4100.T I F T R E G I O N A L M E D I C A L C E N T E R P R O F I L E SRebecca Garber, Wound Care Center, 1 year with TRMCRebecca enjoys taking care of others and seeing them smile when they feel better.She said the Wound Care Center is a small unit, but, “We are big at heart. Our staff andpatients are one big family.” In her spare time, Rebecca likes yard work, especiallygrowing flowers she can pick to create flower arrangements for her table.4ON HEALTH SUMMER 2008

TRMC Women’s Event:It’s a Jungle Out There!Scheduled for Saturday, August 16,the Tenth Annual Women’s Eventpromises to provide fun for women ofall generations.“We have a fabulous day planned forwomen of all ages to take a little timefor themselves,” says Stacey Beckham,public affairs coordinator for Tift RegionalMedical Center. “This year’s theme is‘It’s a Jungle Out There.’ The world we’rein today can sometimes seem crazy; it’slike we’re struggling to find our waythrough that metaphorical jungle. Wewant this day to be the starting pointfor women in our area to refocus energyon themselves.”One of the day’s highlights will be thefeatured speaker, Diana Jordan. Jordanhas been nominated by the AmericanComedy Awards as one of the Top FiveFemale Comedians in the Country.Throughout the event, TRMC willprovide health screenings and brunch.Numerous area businesses andassociations also will be on hand withfun information and projects ranging fromhealthy living and volunteer opportunitiesto fun ways to preserve family traditions.“The leadership at TRMC is dedicatedto serving the needs of the community,Comedienne and motivational speaker, Diana Jordan, will bethe featured speaker at this year’s TRMC Women’s Event.both inside and outside the hospitalwalls,” Beckham says. “This event isdesigned to provide an opportunity forwomen to focus on themselves and relax.”Tenth Annual Women’s EventSaturday, August 169 a.m. to noonUGA Tifton Campus Conference CenterFREE event, no registration required.Call (229) 353-6318 for more information.Loop the Lake RunBenefits Women’s CharitiesTift Regional Medical Center’s Community Spiritprogram is a major sponsor of a 5K run and onemilewalk at Lake Blackshear in Cordele. The 2008Loop the Lake run and walk will raise funds fortwo area women’s charities—GraceWay RecoveryResidence and Ruth’s Cottage.The event, part of the Run & See Georgia GrandPrix Series, was originated by Edward Hellman, MD,spine surgeon with Georgia Sports Medicine andOrthopedic Clinic in Tifton.Sponsors of the event include Dr. Hellman, TiftRegional Medical Center’s Community Spiritprogram, and Lake Blackshear Resort & Golf Club.For more information, call (229) 888-8989.What: 2008 Loop the Lake 5K Run and 1 Mile WalkWhere: Georgia Veterans State Park, LakeBlackshear, near CordeleWhen: Saturday, July 19, 20085K Run: 7:30 a.m. 1 Mile Walk: 8 a.m.Entry Fee: Adults: $20 before July 12/$23 afterJuly 12/$25 race dayChildren (under 12): $15 before July 12/$18 afterJuly 12/$20 race dayOnline registration is available at www.loopthelake5K.comor through www.active.com.T I F T R E G I O N A L M E D I C A L C E N T E R P R O F I L E SJoan Hayes, Wound Care Center, 9 years with TRMCJoan’s favorite part of her job is her patients. “I am especially fond of our wonderfulsenior citizens,” says Joan. “They have done so much for others over their years—tohelp them is an honor.” In her spare time, Joan is an avid Fenton art glass collector.ON HEALTH SUMMER 20085

Special Delivery:Family-Focused ChildbirthTift Regional Medical Center’s Elene Dorminy Women’s Pavilion providesspecialized care for mothers during the labor and birth of their babies.Having a baby is a special time anddeserves the full attention of everyoneinvolved. To help make the experience ascomfortable and enjoyable as possible,TRMC’s Women’s Pavilion has servicesdedicated to mothers and their familiesthroughout the childbirth process.“Our team of seven OB/GYNs, ninepediatricians, and certified nurses providesnew mothers with the best maternitycare in the area,” says Janean Anderson,RN, perinatal nurse manager at TRMC’sElene Dorminy Women’s Pavilion. “Inaddition, every mother has a private roomto enhance comfort and provide a familyfocusedenvironment.”BeforeIn addition to advanced medical care, theWomen’s Pavilion offers a number of waysto help families adapt to having a child. Allexpecting mothers and their support partnersare given the opportunity to participate inprepared childbirth education classes—known as the Baby Talk series—as well astour the facility. These services help mothersknow what to expect throughout pregnancyas well as during and after delivery.DuringFor enhanced comfort, mothers can haveup to three family members or supportivefriends with 24-hour access throughout thedelivery process. TRMC also offers flexiblevisitation hours for additional guests toprovide new mothers with as much supportas possible.AfterWomen have the option of keeping theirnewborn babies in the hospital nursery orin the room with them.“Being close to the baby helpsto encouragethe bondingprocess,” saysBridgett Asbury,MD, OB/GYN onstaff at TRMC. “It’salso important toinvolve the familyin the infant’scare as much aspossible from thebeginning, sothey know whatto expect uponreturning home.”For moreinformation aboutthe Elene Dorminy Women’s Pavilion atTRMC, visit www.tiftregional.com.Ready for BabyExpecting mothers who decide to cometo Tift Regional Medical Center’s EleneDorminy Women’s Pavilion to deliver a babyundergo pre-delivery interviews to becomeinformed about:• required hospital andinsurance paperwork• medication options for pain relief• questions they will be asked during laborBy knowing what to expect before delivery,moms-to-be can relax, feel confident, and befully prepared for the birth of their babies.T I F T R E G I O N A L M E D I C A L C E N T E R P R O F I L E SCarolyn Lane, Wound Care Center, 7 years with TRMCCarolyn, who is one of 17 children, remembers as a child visiting a cousin, who had acertified nursing assistant to help her cousin take care of herself. Her cousin would tellCarolyn how much better the nursing assistant made her feel. This memory inspiredCarolyn to choose her current career so she could help make others feel better as well.6ON HEALTH SUMMER 2008

Calendar of EventsFitness Challenge organizer Gabriel Reese, right, presents a check for $1,875to Maranda Houston of the Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation.Fundraisingwith FitnessMelanie Hall with J&JElite Physiques rides thebicycle as part of the FitnessChallenge. Dr. Jeff Peters(left) and other members ofher team look on.Last January, fitness contestants from local health clubs were up to thechallenge to help raise funds for Tift Regional Medical Center’s Heart SafeCommunity program through a Fitness Gym Challenge event.Held at Tift County’s Recreation Department gym, the event broughttogether representatives from gyms and fitness centers throughout thecounty for a friendly fitness competition. The challenge included shoulderpresses, sit-ups, bench presses, bench hops, sprints, box step-ups, a halfmiletreadmill run, and a one-mile upright bike ride.“Volunteers from the community came up with the idea, planned theevent, and executed it, helping to raise $1,875,” says Maranda Houston,foundation director for TRMC. “Gabriel Reese, event coordinator, did afabulous job; he hopes to rally through more challenges each year in orderto continue raising money for our community.”The Heart Safe Community program provides local organizationswith automatic external defibrillators and paramedics with 12-leadelectrocardiogram units. In addition, it allows financial assistance tobe provided to families of TRMC cardiac rehabilitation patients withspecial needs.For information about future events, please call the Tift Regional MedicalCenter Foundation at (229) 391-3310.Diabetes Day Camp for ChildrenJuly 21 –258 a.m. to 5 p.m.Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College,Yow Forestry and Wildlife BuildingTo reserve a space, or for more information,please call (229) 353-6753.NICE Club Members Only EventJuly 29NoonAgriramaWomen’s EventAug. 169 a.m. to noonUGA Tifton Campus Conference CenterBlood DriveAug. 2912:30 to 5:30 p.m.TRMC dining rooms A & BFor more information on any of these events or toregister, please call (229) 353-6318.ABOUT THE PROFILESStaff members of the Wound Care Center at Tift RegionalMedical Center have been featured throughout this issue ofOn Health. Tonya Hutchinson recently joined the team as itsmedical office coordinator. The Wound Care Center providesspecialized treatment for non-healing wounds, which aredefined as sores or wounds that have not significantly improvedduring the course of conventional treatment. With the stateof-the-arttreatment available at the Wound Care Center,people with slow-healing wounds no longer have to suffer. Thecomprehensive approach can heal wounds that have resistedother treatments and help you avoid loss of limbs, reduceincidence of recurrence, and help patients’ get their lives back.T I F T R E G I O N A L M E D I C A L C E N T E R P R O F I L E SSheri Rhodes, Wound Care Center, 11 years with TRMC“For as long as I can remember, even as a little girl, I always wanted to be a nurse,”says Sheri. “I enjoy taking care of patients, as it gives me the opportunity to makea positive difference in their lives. I love being a nurse and being a part of TRMC,where I get to interact not only with our patients, but with their families as well. I findit very rewarding and gratifying when our patients’ wounds heal.”ON HEALTH SUMMER 20087

This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.PRSRT STDU.S. PostagePAIDTucson, AZPermit No. 456901 East 18th StreetTifton, GA 31794www.tiftregional.com